2024-11-16 09:00:00
Two homeless drug addicts share a small piece of fentanyl in a Los Angeles alley, August 18, 2022. AP PHOTO/JAE C. HONG
Angela Me is Head of Research and Trend Analysis at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). In particular, she directs the world report on drugs published each year by this institution.
In 2022, nearly 300 million people will have used drugs, according to the latest annual report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), or 20% more than ten years ago. How do you explain this increase, taking into account the increased resources implemented to combat trafficking and limit consumption?
The first reason is the increase in population. There are more of us on earth, and therefore more of us doing all kinds of things and using drugs. But this increase is also partly due to the increase in the percentage of people who have used drugs. Over the past ten years, most drugs have seen an increase in their consumption worldwide. Cocaine, in particular, the increase in use of which is particularly marked in Europe, but not only. Cannabis has also seen an increase in consumption over the last decade. Above all, we have also observed this year the increase in the use of stimulants, particularly methamphetamine, while for downers (drugs with sedative effects), the market is rather stable. In Europe, for example, but also in Southeast Asia, a whole generation of heroin users continues to age.
However, there is not really any research that establishes a cause and effect relationship leading to drug use. We have of course identified certain recurring factors, including mental health. The increase in mental health-related disorders, which is particularly significant during Covid, has links to drug consumption and dependence. Another factor is the availability of substances. This supply is always linked to demand, and one leads to the other, like a vicious circle.
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This vicious circle you speak of particularly concerns cocaine. Recent figures, in terms of seizure and consumption, show that its diffusion is massive, within a market associated with sometimes uncontrollable violence, both in South America and in Europe. Do you consider this substance to be the priority for action at the international level?
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What impact do you foresee the changing attitudes towards drug use having on global consumption trends in the coming years?
**Interview with Angela Me, Head of Research and Trend Analysis at UNODC**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Angela. The latest UNODC report indicates that nearly 300 million people globally have used drugs in 2022, marking a 20% increase over the past decade. What do you believe are the main factors contributing to this rise?
**Angela Me:** Thank you for having me. There are several intertwined factors at play. Firstly, global population growth is a significant contributor. With more people on the planet, it’s expected that a larger number will engage in various activities, including drug use. However, beyond just population numbers, we’ve also seen a notable increase in the percentage of individuals who use drugs.
**Editor:** That’s an interesting point. You mentioned that specific drugs like cocaine and cannabis have seen particularly high increases in use over the last decade. What might be driving these trends?
**Angela Me:** Absolutely. The increase in cocaine use, especially in regions like Europe, can be attributed to a combination of factors such as increasing availability and changing social attitudes towards drug use. Cannabis, meanwhile, has gained more acceptance and legalization efforts in various places, which naturally leads to higher consumption rates. Social and cultural shifts also play a role in normalizing drug use.
**Editor:** With all the resources being allocated to combat drug trafficking and limit consumption, it seems surprising that usage continues to rise. How do you interpret this contradiction?
**Angela Me:** That’s a crucial question. While enforcement efforts are important, they often don’t address the underlying issues driving substance use, such as mental health, socioeconomic factors, and social environments. We need a more holistic approach that includes awareness, education, and support for individuals struggling with addiction, alongside traditional law enforcement measures.
**Editor:** What do you think is the path forward to effectively curb this troubling trend?
**Angela Me:** We need to rethink our strategies. A greater emphasis on prevention, education, and treatment is essential. By addressing the root causes of addiction and providing support rather than solely focusing on criminalization, we can create a framework that helps reduce drug use and its associated harms. Collaboration across sectors is vital to implement these comprehensive solutions.
**Editor:** Thank you, Angela, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that addressing drug use and trafficking requires multifaceted strategies and cooperation at many levels.
**Angela Me:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue. It’s critical that we continue to engage in these conversations to find effective solutions.