The World Drug Report 2021: UNODC
Source : United Nations
GS III : Internal Security

Content for The World Drug Report 2021: UNODC Article

1. AboutThe World Drug Report 2021: UNODC
2. What are the socio economic impact over drug use ?
3. Indian and drug use and Regulations

Why in News ?

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently released its annual report provides an overview of global drug markets, as well as their impact on people’s health and livelihoods.

• The report named as World Drug Report 2021.
• The launch of the 2021 World Drug Report comes ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed on 26 June.
• The 2021 theme of the UNODC-led campaign is “Share facts on drugs, save lives” to achieve a world free of drug abuse.

Key Facts

• 275 million people used drugs worldwide in the last year of unprecedented upheaval caused by the COVID-19.
  • It is up by 22 per cent from 2010.

    

• Roughly 200 million people used cannabis in 2019 representing 4 per cent of the global population.
• The number of cannabis users has increased by nearly 18 per cent over the past decade.
• An estimated 20 million people used cocaine in 2019, corresponding to 0.4 per cent of the global population.
• Roughly 50,000 people died from opioid overdoses in the United States in 2019, more than double the 2010 figure.
• Fentanyl and its analogues now are involved in most of the deaths.
• Psychoactive substances (NPS)
  • The number in global level has been stabilizing in recent years at slightly more than 500 substances (541 in 2019)
  • Actual number of NPS identified for the first time at global level declined from 213 to 71 between 2013 and 2019.
  • These findings suggest national and international control systems have succeeded in limiting the spread of NPS in high income countries, where the trend first emerged a decade ago.
• A rise in the use of technology during the pandemic has also triggered innovation in drug prevention and treatment services.
• Two pharmaceutical opioids used to treat people with opioid use disorders methadone and buprenorphine have become increasingly accessible, as science-based treatment has become more broadly available.

What are the socio economic impact over drug use ?

• The COVID-19 crisis has pushed more than 100 million people into extreme poverty
  • Has greatly exacerbated unemployment and inequalities, as the world lost 255 million jobs in 2020.
• Mental health conditions are also on the rise worldwide and these factors have the potential to spur a rise in drug use disorders.
• Underlying socioeconomic stressors have also likely accelerated demand for these drugs.

Indian and drug use and Regulations

• India has always taken a firm stand against drug trafficking and drug use.
• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), illegal for any person to produce/ manufacture/cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
• The Act extends
  • To the whole of India
  • Applies to all Indian citizens outside India
  • All persons on ships and aircraft registered in India.
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was created for the implementation of the Act.
  • Also have the mandate of controlling drug trafficking.

Daily Current Affairs : Click Here