MIHRE Commemorates the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
On 26 June 2026, Milestone Initiative for Human Rights and Empowerment (MIHRE), with the support of Heartland Alliance Ltd/Gte through the ViiV Healthcare Positive Action Project, joined the global community in commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under the theme: “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”
The commemoration reaffirmed MIHRE’s commitment to promoting evidence-based harm reduction, advancing human rights, and advocating for gender-responsive approaches that improve the health and wellbeing of women who use drugs.
Activities began with a community awareness road walk designed to engage the public on the importance of drug abuse prevention, harm reduction, healthy lifestyles, and equitable access to healthcare services. Through advocacy messages promoting dignity, inclusion, and compassion, the campaign encouraged community members to rethink punitive responses to drug use and support health-centred interventions that protect lives and uphold human rights.
The event also created a safe and inclusive platform for dialogue, bringing together Women Who Use and Inject Drugs (WWUIDs), healthcare professionals, a psychologist, project partners, and the MIHRE team. Participants engaged in interactive sessions on harm reduction, mental health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence, HIV prevention, and the importance of accessing healthcare and psychosocial support without fear of stigma or discrimination.
The discussions emphasized that drug dependence should be addressed through prevention, treatment, care, and social support rather than punishment. Participants were encouraged to adopt positive health-seeking behaviors, understand their rights, and become advocates for harm reduction, gender equality, and access to quality healthcare within their communities.
As an organization, MIHRE remains committed to ensuring that women who use drugs are not left behind.
Through strategic partnerships and community-led interventions, we will continue to advocate for policies and programmes that promote dignity, reduce stigma, expand access to healthcare, and create safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities.
Together, we reaffirm our commitment to a future where support not punishment remains the foundation of our response to drug use.
