World Drug Report 2020
Global drug consumption increases, while COVID-19 impacts markets, according to the World Drug Report 2020, released on June 25, 2020 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The Report shows that around 269 million people used drugs in the world in 2018 – an increase of 30% compared to 2009. In addition, more than 35 million people suffer from drug use disorders.
The Report also looks at the impact of COVID-19 on drug markets, and while its effects are not yet fully known, border closures and other pandemic-related restrictions have already caused drug shortages on the streets, leading to rising prices and reduced purity.
The increase in unemployment and reduced opportunities caused by the pandemic may also disproportionately affect the poorest layers, making them more vulnerable to the use and trafficking and cultivation of drugs for sustenance, the report points out.
UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly explained that vulnerable and marginalized groups, youth, women and the poorest groups pay the price of the world's drug problem. "The COVID-19 crisis and economic downturn threaten to further exacerbate the risks of drugs, when our health and social systems are on the verge of collapse and our societies are struggling to cope."
"We need all governments to show greater solidarity and support, especially developing countries, in combating illicit drug trafficking and provide evidence-based services for drug misuse disorders and related diseases, so that we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, promote justice and leave no one behind," said the Executive Director of UNODC.
Due to COVID-19, traffickers may have to find new routes and methods, and activities linked to trafficking and mail shipments may increase, despite the fact that the international postal supply chain has been disrupted.
The pandemic has also led to a shortage of opioids, which in turn may result in people seeking more readily available substances such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or mixing with synthetic drugs. More harmful patterns of use may emerge as some users switch to injection use, or inject more frequently.
Looking at other effects of the current pandemic, the report warns that if governments respond to the 2008 crisis, when they reduced budgets for drugs, prevention interventions, treatment services and the supply of naloxone, used to reverse opioid overdose, populations could be hit hardest.
Interception operations and international cooperation may also become less of a priority, making it easier for traffickers to operate.
Trends in drug use, according to the 2020 Report:
While cannabis was the most consumed substance in the world in 2018, with an estimated 192 million people using it, opioids, however, remain the most harmful, as in the last decade the total number of deaths from opioid use disorders increased by 71%, with an increase of 92% among women, compared with 63% among men.
Drug use increased much faster among developing countries during the period 2000-2018 than in developed countries. Adolescents and young people represent the largest share of those who use drugs, while young people are also the most vulnerable to the effects of drugs, as they are the ones who consume the most and their brains are still developing.
Cannabis Trends, according to the 2020 Report:
While the impact of laws that legalized cannabis in some countries is still difficult to assess, it is notable that frequent cannabis use has increased in all of these areas after legalization. In some of these countries, more potent cannabis products are also more common on the market.
Cannabis also remains the main drug that brings people into contact with the criminal justice system, accounting for more than half of drug law offences, based on data from 69 countries, in the period 2014 to 2018.
Availability of pharmaceutical opioids for medical consumption varies around the world
The report also points out that low-income countries still suffer from a shortage of pharmaceutical opioids, used for pain management and palliative care.
More than 90% of all pharmaceutical opioids available for medical consumption were found in high-income countries in 2018, comprising about 12% of the world's population.
It is estimated that low- and middle-income countries, which comprise 88% of the world's population, consume less than 10% of pharmaceutical opioids. Access to pharmaceutical opioids depends on a number of factors, including legislation, culture, healthcare systems, and prescribing practices.
Poverty, marginalization
Poverty, poor education, and social marginalization continue to be important factors that increase the risk of drug use disorders. In addition, vulnerable and marginalized groups may also face barriers to obtaining treatment services due to discrimination and stigma.
The World Drug Report 2020 provides a global overview of the supply and demand of opioids, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants, and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), as well as their impact on health, taking into account the possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The paper highlights, through improved research and more accurate data, that adverse health effects due to drug use are more widespread than previously thought.
For the full report and media content, please visit:
https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/index.html