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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How does Angela Me suggest that public health strategies should evolve to address the challenges of rising drug use?
**Interview with Angela Me, Head of Research and Trend Analysis at UNODC**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Angela. Your latest report indicates that nearly 300 million people used drugs in 2022. This is a significant increase. Can you help us understand the main factors contributing to this rise?
**Angela Me:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the increase can primarily be attributed to two main factors: population growth and changing drug use patterns. The global population has grown substantially, which naturally leads to a higher number of individuals engaging in various activities, including drug use.
**Editor:** That’s an important point. But beyond population growth, you mentioned a rise in the percentage of drug users. What specific trends are you observing in drug consumption?
**Angela Me:** Over the last decade, we’ve seen an overall increase in the consumption of many drugs. For instance, cocaine use has notably risen, particularly in Europe, but we are also observing increases in places where it wasn’t traditionally prevalent. Additionally, cannabis use has surged globally, reflecting broader societal changes in perception and legalization in some regions.
**Editor:** Despite the increased resources directed towards combating drug trafficking and usage, why do you think these efforts aren’t curbing the problem?
**Angela Me:** It’s a complex issue. While there have been significant efforts to combat trafficking, the drug market is highly adaptive. New substances emerge, and existing ones gain popularity. Moreover, social factors such as mental health struggles, economic instability, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to rising consumption patterns, making it a challenge to effectively contain the situation.
**Editor:** With these challenges in mind, what steps do you believe need to be taken moving forward to address this growing issue?
**Angela Me:** A multifaceted approach is essential. We need to enhance public health strategies that focus on education, prevention, and treatment rather than solely punitive measures. Additionally, international cooperation is key in tackling drug trafficking networks while also addressing the socio-economic factors that drive individuals toward drug use.
**Editor:** Thank you very much, Angela, for your insights. It’s clear that addressing this issue will require comprehensive strategies and cooperation at multiple levels.
**Angela Me:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep this dialogue going as we work towards a healthier and safer society.
