35.6 million People Suffer Drug Use Disorders Globally, Says UNODC new Report

Bennett Oghifo

As the world community commemorates International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking today, a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says some 35.6 million people suffer from drug use disorders globally.

This data is contained in an address by the Executive Director of UNODC, Ghada Waly, who called for global solidarity and compassion in addressing world drug problem.
Around 269 million people used drugs in 2018, up 30 per cent from 2009, according to the statement released by Sylvester Tunde Atere, Outreach and Communications, UNODC Nigeria Country Office, Abuja.

“While the increase reflects population growth and other factors, illicit drugs – including opiates and pharmaceutical opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine – are still more available, more diverse and more potent than before, challenging law enforcement, posing greater health risks and complicating efforts to prevent and treat drug use disorders,” the executive director said.

The statement said adolescents and young adults account for the largest share of those using drugs. Of the 11 million people who inject drugs, half of them are living with hepatitis C, and 1.4 million with HIV.

“Only one out of eight people who need drug-related treatment receive it. One out of three drug users is a woman but women represent only one out of five people in treatment. People in prison settings, minorities, immigrants and displaced people also face barriers to treatment due to discrimination and stigma.

“585,000 died in 2017 in relation to drug use, up one-quarter from 2008. Over the past decade, the total number of deaths due to opioid use disorders went up 71 per cent, with a 92 per cent increase among women compared with 63 per cent among men.

“All over the world, we see that risks and consequences of drug use are worsened by poverty, limited opportunities for education and jobs, stigma and social exclusion, which in turn helps to deepen inequalities, moving us further away from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

He said the COVID-19 crisis has intensified these challenges further still, overwhelming health systems and exposing the fragility of institutions and social safety nets.

He said the theme of this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, “Better Knowledge for Better Care”, highlights the need to understand drug dynamics trapping so many millions of people in a downward spiral, to inform balanced solutions that are based on scientific evidence, to know better what the issues are and to provide better care for those who need it.

Health-centred, rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to drug use and related diseases deliver better public health, and we need to do more to share this learning and support implementation, most of all in developing countries.

“Governments pledged to advance such balanced, comprehensive and evidence-based responses in the 2019 CND Ministerial Declaration. In the COVID-19 recovery, we need all countries to act on their commitments, and show shared responsibility to tackle illicit drug supply and reduce demand. We need civil society and youth organisations to continue their efforts to support the vulnerable in their communities.

“Together, we can pursue more effective prevention and protection, to build resilience as we build back better, and leave no one behind.”