World Drug Report 2020: 5 things to remember

The World Drug Report is the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) annual analysis of the state of the «global drug problem.» The report assesses trends in illicit drug use and the dynamics of the drug market, and also includes special thematic chapters that explore specific issues in depth.

Here are 5 key points to remember from the this year's report.

Cannabis use is on the rise

Whether in countries or states where it is legal, or in territories where it is illegal, the use of Cannabis is on the rise. An estimated 192 million people used cannabis in 2018, compared to 183 million in 2015, making cannabis the most widely used illegal drug in the world. According to the report, the increase is partly due to global population growth, but also to legalization efforts.

Cannabis Is a Major Focus for the Justice System

Cannabis is the drug that results in the highest number of people appearing before the criminal justice system, accounting for more than half of all drug-related offenses, according to reports from a total of 69 countries for the period 2014–2018.

On the other hand, in 2018, global cannabis herb seizures reached their lowest level in 20 years, a decline that the report attributes largely to the decrease in seizures in North America, where they have fallen by 84 % over the past 10 years. In contrast, seizures nearly doubled in the rest of the world during the same period.

Purchases on the Darknet Have Benefited from the Covid Pandemic

Trafficking activity on the darknet may increase while COVID-19-related restrictions are in place, particularly for purchases made by end users who are having difficulty approaching street vendors. It appears that on some European darknet drug markets, activity increased during the first quarter of 2020, driven primarily by retail sales of cannabis.

Cannabis Legalization Trends to Watch

The report recommends the implementation of comprehensive and comparable monitoring systems in countries that authorize the non-medical use of cannabis: «Having more regular and consistent information on the various cannabis products and their potency, health effects, and use—including for medical purposes—would help policymakers, businesses
»pharmaceutical companies and potential users to assess the public health implications of this legislation."

Disadvantaged people are more severely affected by the negative consequences of drug use

While drugs such as cocaine are primarily associated with the world’s wealthiest regions, the incidence of drug-use disorders is higher among people with lower socioeconomic status.

In 2018, some 35.6 million people had substance use disorders. Many factors, such as poverty, lack of education, and social marginalization, can increase the risk of developing these disorders and exacerbate their consequences.

Drug-related problems also fuel a vicious cycle by exacerbating adverse socioeconomic conditions and increasing the risks of unemployment, poverty, and
homelessness. These consequences may also be linked to stigma and run-ins with the criminal justice system. Women, members of ethnic minorities, and
immigrants, people with different sexual orientations, people displaced by armed conflicts or natural disasters, and people living in rural areas can
may also be disproportionately affected by drug-related problems or face difficulties in accessing treatment.