United Nations Radio

The annual world drug report released by the UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows that the production of traditional illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine has decreased, while seizures of drug supplies by law enforcement have increased.

Afghanistan, which produces more than 90% of the world's opium has for the first time seen a decline, after many years of increase. The bad news in the report concerns the use of synthetic drugs: amphetamines, methamphetamines and Ecstasy. While the use of these so-called party drugs, or stimulants, has leveled off in developed countries, new data, though limited, suggest an increase in their use in the developing world.

Gujarat wins a public service award

At this year's celebration of UN Public Service Day, June 23rd, the United Nations recognized the impact that public services can have on the day-to-day lives of citizens by handing out awards for outstanding achievements in four categories. The winner in Category 3 - Fostering participation in policy-making decisions through innovative mechanisms was the government of Gujarat in India. The state of Gujarat is prone to frequent droughts and water scarcity. But it has improved access to water in rural areas by engaging citizens in water management.

Producer: Bissera Kostova
Duration: 14'00"