Drug consumption is exploding worldwide: 316 million people are affected and violence is increasing

Drug consumption is exploding worldwide: 316 million people are affected and violence is increasing

In recent years, the drug landscape around the world has changed drastically. Recent reports show that the number of drug users will rise to a whopping number in 2023316 millionhas increased – a clear increase of292 millionin 2022. These alarming figures come from a report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), published in Vienna, and demonstrate a significant trend in drug use Aerzteblatt reports that ….

Cannabis remains the most widely used drug, with244 million consumers. The figures for other drugs are also worrying: opiates are used by61 millionPeople consumed, followed by30.7 millionwho use amphetamines, and25 millionwho use cocaine. The estimates also show that21 millionPeople use ecstasy. Within a decade the increase in drug users is over28 percentincreased, consumption is even growing faster than the global population, as UNODC head Ghada Waly emphasizes UNRIC reports that ....

The cocaine boom

Of particular concern is the rapid rise of the cocaine market, which is the fastest growing of all drugs. Illegal production of cocaine reached a record level in 20233,708 tons, which corresponds to an increase of over a third compared to the previous year. The number of cocaine users is also down17 millionin 201325 millionincreased in 2023. This ongoing cocaine boom is leading to increased drug deaths and increased violence between criminal organizations Aerzteblatt reports that....

The situation is particularly dire in certain regions, such as Ecuador, where murder rates have risen dramatically and gang violence is on the rise. Violence is also increasing across the Caribbean, fueled by the growing cocaine trade. In addition, the trade in synthetic drugs, such as Captagon, has increased in conflict areas, such as Syria and Ukraine UNRIC reports that....

Drug policy in transition

Drug policy is facing growing challenges worldwide. Despite the global prohibition measures based on the international drug control regime, more and more countries are showing alternative approaches. In Western Europe, harm-reducing measures such as sterile needles and substitution therapies are being introduced more and more frequently. In addition, some countries have decriminalized or even legalized the possession of cannabis for personal use, which clearly violates international obligations bpb reports that ....

Portugal, for example, implemented such a reform in 2001, which, in contrast to previous measures, led to positive developments in drug policy. However, there are still significant differences of opinion between states and a comprehensive reform of international drug policy is currently not in sight. The topic remains a hot topic - both on a political and social level bpb reports that ....

In Germany, for example, 20232,227 drug deaths