Drug boom: 316 million consumers worldwide - cocaine at a record level!
Drug boom: 316 million consumers worldwide - cocaine at a record level!
Wien, Österreich - The drug problem is a topic that is becoming increasingly up to date. According to a recently published report by the UN office for drug and crime fighting (UNODC), the number of drug users worldwide rose to 316 million worldwide. This alarming number represents an increase of 28 percent within a decade and shows that consumption grows faster than the global population. The increase in the cocaine market is particularly outstanding, which grows most rapidly among all drugs. Radiolippe reports that illegal cocaine production in 2023 has reached a record with 3.708 tons-a plus of over a third compared to Last year.
The number of cocaine consumers has risen terrifyingly, from 17 million in 2013 to 25 million in 2023. This unpleasant development not only has an impact on the health of consumers, but also leads to more drug -dead and increased violence between rival criminal organizations. This is particularly intensive in Western and Central Europe, where more cocaine is confiscated than in North America, such as Notice.
consumption trends and worrying statistics
A precise picture of the drug landscape can also be drawn on the basis of the most frequently consumed drugs. Cannabis leads with 244 million consumers, followed by opiates with 61 million, amphetamines with 30.7 million, cocaine with 25 million and ecstasy with 21 million. While Cannabis is still the most widespread drug, synthetic drugs such as Captagon and in conflict areas such as Syria and Ukraine are evident in a worrying increase in trade.
The UN has also found that around 64 million people are addicted to drugs in 2023 - an increase of 13 percent in the past ten years. In Germany, 2,227 drug deaths nationwide were recorded nationwide, which is a doubling compared to ten years ago. The new Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck has the social relevance of the topic of drugs and is looking for and clarified that in Europe, cannabis consumption among young people in the age group of 15 and 16 years has also decreased significantly in recent years, which can be seen as a positive trend.
drug policy in changing
International drug policy faces major challenges. The existing control regime is questioned by different countries, and there is a growing trend towards damage -reducing measures that we can see in many Western European countries, including Austria. Among other things, these approaches include the delivery of clean needles and substitution therapies for reducing diseases such as HIV/AIDS, an area that encounters resistance in the context of the international drug control regime. BPB also reports that some countries, including Uruguay and Canada, cannabis, have been legalized beyond medical use, although this violates international regulations.
Global drug prohial remains a hotly discussed topic, and the current developments make a comprehensive change in international drug policy seem unlikely. Nevertheless, the discourse on cannabis and dealing with drug use in society shows that there is an urgent need for action to reduce the health and social risks. The drug market remains a complex and dynamic field that requires constant attention.
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| Ort | Wien, Österreich |
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