Drug Use Expands
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently released its World Drug Report for 2023, shedding light on the concerning expansion of illicit drug markets and the challenges faced by health services and law enforcement agencies. The report reveals that the global estimate of people who inject drugs in 2021 is 13.2 million, 18% higher than previously estimated. Furthermore, over 296 million individuals worldwide used drugs in 2021. Drug use expands by more than 23% increase over the past decade. The number of people suffering from drug use disorders has skyrocketed to 39.5 million, marking a staggering 45% increase in just ten years.
Drug use expands by more than 23% increase over the past decade
The report encompasses various sections, including a special chapter on drug trafficking and crimes impacting the environment in the Amazon Basin. It also addresses clinical trials involving psychedelics and the medical use of cannabis, drug use in humanitarian settings, innovations in drug treatment and other services, and the relationship between drugs and conflict.
Drug Use Expands Environmental Devastation
One significant concern raised in the report is the accelerating environmental devastation and crime in the Amazon Basin resulting from drug trafficking. Illicit drug economies in the region have fueled additional criminal activities such as illegal logging, mining, land occupation, and wildlife trafficking. These activities have inflicted significant harm on the environment and affected indigenous communities, leading to displacement, mercury poisoning, and exposure to violence. Traffickers and armed groups have even targeted environmental defenders.
The report also emphasizes the need to address drug-related disparities and inequalities, particularly regarding access to controlled drugs for medical purposes. Inadequate availability and access to pharmaceutical opioids, mainly in low and middle-income countries, contribute to the negative impact of drugs on vulnerable populations. Impoverished communities, such as those in the tri-border area between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, face significant challenges in accessing treatment services and resources due to their remote locations and the prevalence of drug-related crimes.
Synthetic Drugs
Another crucial issue highlighted in the report is the increasing dominance of synthetic drugs, which has dramatically transformed illicit drug markets. Drug use expands, because criminal networks producing methamphetamine, the world’s most prevalent illegally manufactured synthetic drug, are evading law enforcement and regulatory responses through new synthesis routes, operational bases, and non-controlled precursors. Illegally manufactured fentanyl, especially fentanyl, has also significantly impacted the opioid market in North America, contributing to a high number of overdose deaths.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes the importance of prioritizing public health concerns when regulating the medical use of controlled drugs. While research on the therapeutic potential of controlled drugs like psychedelics shows promise, the report cautions that the fast pace of developments may undermine efforts to establish policies that prioritize public health over commercial interests. It is crucial to establish well-designed frameworks supported by adequate research to ensure access to treatment while preventing diversion for non-medical use.
Final Thoughts
The World Drug Report 2023 highlights the expanding illicit drug markets, the need for improved access to treatment services, the environmental and social consequences of drug trafficking, and the increasing prevalence of synthetic drugs. The report emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing public health, prevention, and treatment worldwide to address these challenges effectively. It also calls for enhanced law enforcement responses to keep pace with evolving criminal networks and the proliferation of dangerous synthetic drugs.