UNIS/NAR/802
18 June 2003

UNODC Launches Radio Campaign "Let's Talk about Drugs…"

VIENNA, 18 June (UN Information Service) -- To encourage parents, grandparents, teachers, peers and other persons of authority to talk to young children and teenagers about the dangers of drug use, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is launching a series of radio spots as part of a year-long "Let's talk about drugs…" campaign.

The thirty- and sixty-second radio spots are available for free in English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Hindi, and are for unrestricted use by broadcasters. The spots are available in MP3 format with and without music, and can be downloaded from the Internet at www.unodc.org. All of the radio spots are also available on CD.

"'Let's talk about drugs…' underlines the need for children, families, peers, teachers and communities to talk about drug abuse, admit that it is a problem, and take responsibility for doing something about it," states UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his message for 26 June, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. "The support of caring and listening parents has proven to be one of the most important protective factors against drug abuse. But for the many young people around the world who do not have the advantage of a supportive home environment, we all have a special responsibility."

The campaign is set to begin on 26 June, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which commemorates the signature of the declaration adopted at the International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on that day in 1987. Every year a theme is established and thousands of people around the world are mobilized through UNODC's field office network, which also collaborates with civil societies, to celebrate 26 June and to promote drug awareness.

Radio spots and public information material related to "Let's talk about drugs…" and 26 June can be requested from:

UNODC

External Relations Unit
|Vienna International Centre
Wagramer Strasse 5
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Fax: (43 1) 26060 5931
Email: radiospots@unodc.org