UN Report Shows the Drug Crisis is Global

A new UN report shows the drug crisis is global. And it might be worse than everyone thought.
Drugs have flooded the global markets to record-breaking levels, according to a new United Nations report, and the results are creating a worldwide crisis touching every corner of the globe.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime released its annual World Drug Report on Tuesday, detailing the issues associated with both illegal and legal drugs. Specifically, it focused on the opioid crisis, prescription drug abuse expansion, and the record high production of cocaine and opium.

Approximately 10,500 tons of opium were produced in 2017, according to UNODC. That's a 65% increase from 2016, and a new world record.

Cocaine production, while not nearly in the headlines as much as opioids in recent years, also saw a massive increase in 2016, according to the report. 1,410 tons were produced, the highest level recorded by he UNODC.

The report also details the abuse of legal prescription drugs. Fentanyl, one of the most potent opioids in existence, and its cousins were reported to be the primary prescription drug being abused in North America.

"The adverse health consequences caused by drug use remain significant, drug-related deaths are on the rise and there are ongoing, concentrated opioid epidemics," said the report. (KOMO4 News, June 27, 2018)

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When considering the drug crisis in the United States: "Mexican transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) remain the greatest criminal drug threat to the United States. These Mexican poly-drug organizations traffic heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana throughout the United States using established transportation routes and distribution networks. They control drug trafficking across the Southwest border and are seeking to expand their share of U.S. illicit drug markets, particularly for heroin. U.S. national-level gangs and neighborhood gangs continue to form relationships with Mexican TCOs to increase gang profits through drug distribution and transportation, for the enforcement of drug payments, and for protection of drug transportation corridors from use by rival gangs. Many gangs rely on Mexican TCOs as their primary drug supplier, and Mexican TCOs depend on street-level gangs that have a pre-existing customer base for drug distribution." (“Drug Trafficking Across the Southwest Border and Oversight of U.S. Counterdrug Assistance to Mexico” - Obama White House Archive)