The 2021 World Drug Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has recently drawn attention to an important connection between lockdown restrictions implemented due to COVID-19 and a rise in internet-based drug trafficking. The report predominantly focuses on substances controlled under international drug control conventions that are being used outside their medical context.
An Increase in Global Drug Use
The UNODC’s data analysis suggests a 22% increase in global drug use between 2010-2019 due to a surge in the world’s population. The report reveals around 275 million people worldwide have used drugs in the past year, while over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders. Opioids remain the most burdensome in terms of diseases attributed to drug use. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable uptick in the non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs.
The Changing Perception of Cannabis
Cannabis potency has escalated about fourfold over the last 24 years in some regions, paralleled by a decrease in perception of potential harm among adolescents by up to 40%. This fall in perceived harm and rise in usage may be linked to aggressive marketing strategies and social media promotions. The primary psychoactive component in cannabis, Δ9-THC, is linked to long-term mental health disorders.
The Rise of Online Drug Sales
Online drug sales have simplified access to drugs, transforming traditional drug use patterns. Approximately $315 million worth of drugs are traded annually on the dark web. The Asian region, particularly China and India, are prominently involved in the shipping of drugs sold on major darknet markets. Cannabis transactions dominate these online marketplaces while narcotics and substances for synthetic drug manufacturing populate other parts of the web.
COVID-19 Impact and Response
The COVID-19 crisis has plunged over 100 million individuals into extreme poverty, exacerbating unemployment and inequalities. With the global loss of 255 million jobs in 2020, mental health conditions are escalating. These socioeconomic stressors have potentially increased the demand for drugs. However, the pandemic has also fostered innovation in drug prevention and treatment services. Telemedicine and other flexible service delivery models have facilitated broader accessibility to health care professionals and treatments.
Drugs Trends and Suggestions for Improvement
Despite initial setbacks due to lockdown restrictions, drug traffickers have recovered to pre-pandemic operating levels. This recovery is partly due to technological advancements and the rise of cryptocurrency payments. The continued evolution of drug transactions – including contactless transactions and complex marketing strategies – necessitates proactive responses and updates in law enforcement and scientific standards. These might involve joint efforts by governments and private sectors to control and remove online advertisements and listings of illegal drugs.
About UNODC and Related International Initiatives
The UNODC was established in 1997 to act as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division. It was renamed the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2002. Several international initiatives like the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances aim to combat global drug abuse and trafficking.
India’s Vulnerability to Drug Trafficking
India’s geographic location between the ‘Golden Crescent’ (Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan) and the ‘Golden Triangle’ (where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar’s borders meet) makes it particularly vulnerable to drug trafficking. These regions are among the world’s major opium production areas.