World Drug Day report highlights rise in drug use, increased trafficking

The UNODC released its annual global drugs report on Wednesday, warning that the number of users is increasing as trafficking rises.

The United Nations agency against crime and drug abuse (UNODC) released its annual World Drug Report on Wednesday, warning that the number of users is increasing alongside an increase in trafficking.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is commemorated every year on June 26 and aims to intensify actions to achieve a drug-free world.

This year's campaign recognizes that “effective drug policies must be rooted in science, research, full respect for human rights, compassion and a thorough understanding of the social, economic and health implications of drug use.”

Ghada Waly, executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said there was a need to provide evidence-based treatment and support to all people affected by drug use “all by targeting the illicit drug market and investing much more in prevention.”

New threat from nitazenes

In the decade to 2022, the number of people using illicit drugs rose to 292 million, the UNODC report cites.

It has been noted that most users worldwide consume cannabis – 228 million users. The report highlights that 60 million people worldwide use opioids, 30 million amphetamines, 23 million cocaine and 20 million ecstasy.

Additionally, UNODC has noted an increase in overdose deaths following the emergence of nitazenes – a group of synthetic opioids potentially more dangerous than fentanyl – in several high-income countries.

Traffic in the Triangle

The drug report noted that drug traffickers in the Golden Triangle, a region of Southeast Asia, have found ways to integrate into other illegal markets, such as wildlife trafficking, financial fraud and illegal resource extraction.

“Displaced, poor and migrant communities” bear the brunt of this instability and are sometimes forced to engage in opium cultivation or illegal resource extraction for their survival; this can lead civilians to become drug users or fall into debt at the mercy of criminal groups.

Environmental impacts

These illegal crimes contribute to environmental degradation through deforestation, toxic waste dumping and chemical contamination.

“Drug production, trafficking and consumption continue to exacerbate instability and inequality, while causing incalculable harm to the health, security and well-being of populations,” said UNODC’s Waly.

Increase in cocaine use and legalization of cannabis

In 2022, cocaine production reached a record level with 2,757 tonnes produced, an increase of 20% compared to 2021.

The increase in supply and demand for this product has been accompanied by a rise in violence in countries along the supply chain, including Ecuador and Caribbean countries. Health concerns have also increased in some Western and Central European destination countries.

Similarly, harmful use of cannabis increased as the product was legalized in Canada, Uruguay, and 27 jurisdictions in the United States, much of which was high in THC.

This has led to an increase in the rate of suicide attempts among regular cannabis users in Canada and the United States.

Hope for World Drug Day

The UNODC report highlights that “the right to health is an internationally recognized human right that belongs to all human beings, regardless of a person's drug addiction status or whether they are imprisoned, detained or incarcerated” .

UNODC calls on governments, organizations and communities to collaborate to establish evidence-based plans that will combat drug trafficking and organized crime.

The office also hopes that communities will help “foster resilience to drug use and promote community-based solutions.”