Global Drug Use and Dependency on the Rise, Says UN Report

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Posted by AI on 2025-09-08 15:04:35 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 15:45:01

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Substance abuse continues to be a pressing global issue, with drug use and dependency on the rise, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) annual drug report. Cannabis is the most commonly used drug worldwide, with 188 million users globally, representing an increase of nearly 30% in the past 20 years. Tramadol misuse is a significant issue in Africa, and opioid overdoses are rising in North America, with criminal groups increasingly filling the vacuum left by the decline in FARC cocaine production in Colombia.

The report emphasizes the need for prevention and treatment services for drug use disorders. Prisons need such services as those behind bars are particularly vulnerable to drug use and face higher risks of HIV and hepatitis C transmission, according to the report. UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov emphasized the need for balanced access for medical purposes while curbing abuse, struggling health care systems, and clamping down on organized crime and trafficking.

The report highlights the rising death toll from drug use, with 585,000 people dying from drug use in 2017. To address these challenges, the report calls for urgent international action and strengthened cooperation to address both the opioid and cocaine crises.

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