According to a recent analysis article published by The Conversation and authored by Ian Hamilton, Associate professor at the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, the global addiction to illicit drugs is a worldwide threat, comparable to challenges such as climate change.
The article discusses data from the latest World Drugs Report published by the UN, which shows that cocaine production in Latin America is currently at record levels, while the use of illicit synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl is on the rise across North America. In addition, organized crime groups are benefiting from global political instability and insufficient law enforcement, increasing their drug trafficking activities, while contributing to environmental and human rights violations.
As well, the production of drugs such as cocaine also damages the environment, since forests in South America are cut down to cultivate coca plants, while the toxic chemicals used in drug refinement pollute soil and water. As a result, local residents face challenges in cultivating their land and accessing clean water, as drug production contributes to the cycle of poverty and global drug-related deaths. The production of cocaine is also linked to violence and human exploitation at every stage of the manufacturing process.
The UN report findings also demonstrate that drug use has increased by 20% worldwide over the last decade. Moreover, approximately 300 million people are estimated to consume illicit drugs regularly, with the three most popular drugs being cannabis (228 million people), opioids (60 million people), and cocaine (23 million people).
The article also examined changes in the global supply chain. After the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, a ban was imposed on opium cultivation, destroying crops. However, stocks of heroin remain in the country, while new synthetic opioids like nitazenes are emerging, potentially disrupting the supply. Unfortunately, political instability such as recent wars in Syria and Ukraine have created helpful environments for the emerging drug trade. The UN report also highlighted a significant shift in drug trafficking and use in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, moving away from opiates and toward synthetic stimulants, spearheaded by Russia. Meanwhile, as North America continues to face the opioid crisis, fentanyl is now primarily supplied through Mexico rather than China, with a large number of seizures of fentanyl pills in Mexico.
The analysis concludes by noting some positive changes in drug policy across the globe, such as Scotland’s safe drug consumption facility in Glasgow and Portugal’s harm reduction approach. According to the article, science-based solutions, such as safe consumption spaces and addressing inequality, are key to improving global drug policy. Finally, according to the analysis, the most significant threat to progress is ignorance and stigma existing around illicit drug use.
“Beliefs are notoriously difficult to shift. As with climate change, the most powerful driver of change is personal experience. We know that when a family or community is affected by a drug overdose, their beliefs and perceptions change. But this is not the way any of us should want to see change happen,” concludes Hamilton.
