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.
This article is taken from “Special Issue Le Monde – Drug traffickers: their networks, their crimes, the response”November-December 2024, on sale at kiosks or online by going to on our store website.
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 specific societal changes have contributed to the acceptance and increased use of drugs like cocaine and cannabis?
**Interview with Angela Me, Head of Research and Trend Analysis at UNODC**
**Editor:** Angela, thank you for joining us today. Recent findings from the UNODC indicate that nearly 300 million people used drugs in 2022, marking a 20% increase from a decade ago. What factors do you believe have contributed to this significant rise?
**Angela Me:** Thank you for having me. The increase in drug use over the past decade can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is simply a larger population globally, which means there are more individuals who might engage in drug use. Additionally, we’ve seen a shift in the percentage of people using drugs—it’s not just more people but also a broader acceptance and accessibility of various substances.
**Editor:** You mention accessibility and acceptance. Can you elaborate on which specific drugs have seen increased use and how this might relate to societal changes?
**Angela Me:** Certainly. Over the past ten years, we’ve witnessed notable rises in the consumption of several drugs, including cocaine and cannabis. Cocaine use has particularly surged in Europe, but we’ve seen trends in other regions as well. On the cannabis front, societal shifts, including changes in legislation and attitudes towards its use, have likely contributed to this increase.
**Editor:** Given that significant resources have been allocated to combat drug trafficking and consumption, why do you think these efforts haven’t been more effective?
**Angela Me:** It’s a complex issue. While law enforcement and prevention programs are essential, they often target the symptoms rather than underlying causes. We must address social determinants—such as mental health issues, economic disparities, and community support systems—if we hope to make a meaningful impact on drug use trends.
**Editor:** What do you think is the next step for policymakers and organizations trying to combat drug use on a global scale?
**Angela Me:** There should be an emphasis on a balanced approach that includes prevention, treatment, and harm reduction alongside enforcement. Education, healthcare access, and addressing the root causes of addiction are critical components. A collaborative approach that engages communities in these efforts will be vital.
**Editor:** Thank you, Angela, for sharing your insights today. It’s clear that addressing drug use is a multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive and informed response.
**Angela Me:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue.