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Drug production and trafficking are exacerbating an array of other criminal economies, that have a negative impact on the environment and on communities Forcibly displaced populations suffer an elevated vulnerability to mental health and substance use disorders
Opioids continue to be the main drug that impacts the global burden of disease whereas cannabis is reported by a large share of countries as the drug of most concern for drug use disorders INEQUALITIES EXACERBATING HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG USE ONE in every 17 people had been involved with drugs in 2021 which is 23% more than a decade ago.
Young-people are more vulnerable to drugs use than adults
BARRIERS TO TREATMENT REMAIN, ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN Almost 1 in 2 users of amphetamine-type stimulants is a woman but only 1 in 4 people in treatment is a woman.
Illicit drug economies, converging crimes, displacement and conflict are accelerating environmental devastation and degrading human rights, especially in vulnerable groups ILLICIT DRUG ECONOMIES, CONVERGING CRIMES AND CONFLICT
A complex and dynamic relationship exists between drugs and conflict
Methamphetamine continues to expand beyond traditional markets. Illegal production of drugs in Afghanistan continues to change, with illicit manufacture of methamphetamine increasing
Synthetic drugs shifting drug markets and supply chains and The number of NPS on the market increased in 2021
New cannabis-related substances are appearing on the drugs market
New drug combinations are a growing challenge for monitoring and treating drug use
Increased digital interconnectivity has brought about innovations in the ways that drugs are bought and sold, making supply chains shorter, reducing costs and increasing accessibility
2023 WORLD DRUG REPORT : KEY MESSAGES The year 2023 marks the midpoint of the work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The global drug phenomenon continues to challenge both the implementation of SDG targets and efforts to PROMOTE PEACE, SECURITY and HUMAN RIGHTS. World drug-related challenges are hindering SDG progress across all areas, from peace and justice to health and human rights, and the environment and equality. Prevention and access to evidence-informed treatment and HIV and Hepatitis services must be stepped up; otherwise, drug-related challenges will leave more people behind. Law enforcement responses need to keep pace with astonishingly agile criminal business models, as well as the proliferation of synthetic drugs, which are cheap and easy to bring to market Public health must remain the priority in the context of rapidly developing drug control regulation, in particular in relation to medical use, and countries must invest more in research to monitor the effects of policy and inform responses.