Increased Substance abuse: The economic downturn caused by the global pandemic may drive more people to substance abuse
Anti-social activities: Many people will be vulnerable to involvement in drug trafficking and related crime as their incomes became dry during lockdown period
Inattention and neglect: Governments will reduce budgets to deal with drug-related problems in the wake of reduced government revenues post-COVID-19 pandemic
Dangers of increase in use of synthetic drugs: In the global recession that followed the 2008 financial crisis, drug users sought out cheaper synthetic substances and patterns of use shifted towards injecting drugs.
Increase in drug use disorders: Only one out of eight people who need drug-related treatment receive it, according to the World Drug Report 2020. Some 35.6 million people suffer from drug use disorders globally.
Prevents shift by farmers: Assistance for alternative development — creating viable, legal forms of income to enable poor farmers to stop growing illicit opium poppy or coca — will remain low.
Increased transnational drug trafficking: National governments efforts will be focused on reviving domestic economies and this may hamper multi-lateral cooperation on cracking drug trade
Disproportionate impact on weaker sections:
One out of three drug users is a woman but women represent only one out of five people in treatment.
People in prison settings, minorities, immigrants and displaced people also face barriers to treatment due to discrimination and stigma.
Way Ahead
Greater investment in evidence-based prevention, as well as treatment and other services for drug use disorders
International cooperation to increase access to controlled drugs for medical purposes and to strengthen law enforcement action to dismantle the transnational organised crime networks.
Health-centred, rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to drug use and related diseases deliver better public health outcomes.
