The report includes special chapters on the impact of the ban on opium production in Afghanistan, on synthetic and other types of drugs, the impacts of the legalization of cannabis and the "renaissance" of the consumption of psychedelic substances, the right to health in relation to drug use and how drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle (Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, together with Afghanistan) is linked to other illicit activities and their consequences.
The document released in Vienna states that global cultivation of coca bushes increased by 12% between 2021 and 2022, to 355,000 hectares.
The prolonged increase in cocaine supply and demand has coincided with a rise in violence in states along the supply chain, notably in Ecuador and Caribbean countries, and an increase in health harm in destination countries, including Europe. Western and Central.
Regarding the legalization of cannabis in some countries, the report points out that by January 2024, Canada, Uruguay and 27 jurisdictions in the United States had legalized the production and sale of this substance for non-medical use, while a variety of approaches legislative measures have emerged in other parts of the world.
The document notes that "in these jurisdictions in the Americas, the process appears to have accelerated the harmful use of the drug and led to a diversification of cannabis products, many of them with a high THC content (potency)".
Hospitalizations related to cannabis use disorders and the proportion of people with psychiatric disorders and suicide attempts associated with regular use have increased in Canada and the United States, especially among young adults.
Cannabis continues to be the most consumed drug worldwide, especially in the age group between 15 and 64 years old.
The report also reports on the "renaissance" of access and use of psychedelic substances, highlighting that although interest in the therapeutic use of these drugs has continued to grow in the treatment of some mental health disorders, clinical research has not yet resulted in any scientific guidelines standard for medical use.
However, within the broader "psychedelic renaissance", grassroots movements are contributing to the flourishing of commercial interest and the creation of an enabling environment that encourages broad access to unsupervised, "quasi-therapeutic" and non-medical use. of psychedelic substances.
These moves have the potential to overstep scientific therapeutic evidence and the development of guidelines for the medical use of psychedelic substances, potentially compromising public health goals and increasing the health risks associated with unsupervised use of these substances.
Regarding the implications of the Afghan Government's ban on opium production in Afghanistan, the drastic decrease in production in 2023 (by 95% compared to 2022) and an increase in production in Myanmar (by 36%), the global production of Opium fell 74% last year.
The document concludes that "the dramatic contraction" of Afghan market opioid production has made Afghan farmers poorer and some traffickers richer.
This situation could have long-term implications, including heroin purity, a shift to other opioids or an increase in demand for opioid treatment services could soon be felt in Afghan drug transit and destination countries.
The UNODC document also highlights that countries must enshrine the right to health services and treatment for drug users, an internationally recognized human right, regardless of the state of drug use or whether the person is in prison or free and their families. .
No comments:
Post a Comment