World Drug Report Released Today in New York City

While global markets for cocaine, heroin and cannabis declined or remained stable, the production and abuse of prescription opioid drugs and new synthetic drugs rose, according to the World Drug Report 2011. Illicit cultivation of opium poppy and coca bush remained limited to a few countries. Although there was a sharp decline in opium production and a modest reduction in coca cultivation, overall, the manufacture of heroin and cocaine was still significant.

The flagship report was launched today at United Nations Headquarters by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Joseph Deiss, President of the General Assembly; Gil Kerlikowske, Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; and Viktor Ivanov, Director of Russia's Federal Service for Drug Control.

Globally, some 210 million people, or 4.8 per cent of the population ages 15-64, took illicit substances at least once in the previous year. Overall drug use, including problem drug use, (0.6 percent of the population ages 15-64) remained stable. However, demand soared for substances not under international control, such as piperazine and cathinone. The effects of cannabis are also being mimicked by synthetic cannabinoids, or “spice”.

The US cocaine market has witnessed massive declines in recent years. Nevertheless, the US continues to be largest cocaine market, with an estimated consumption of 157 tons of cocaine in 2009, equivalent to 36 per cent of global consumption. The second largest cocaine market is Europe, notably West and Central Europe, where consumption is estimated at 123 tons.

Cannabis remains by far the most widely produced and consumed illicit substance globally, although data on cannabis are limited. In 2009, between 2.8 per cent and 4.5 per cent of the world population aged 15-64 – between 125 and 203 million people – had used cannabis at least once in the past year.

While cannabis herb (marijuana) production is widespread, notably in the Americas and Africa, cannabis resin production (hashish) continues to be concentrated in just two countries: Morocco, supplying the West European and North African markets, and Afghanistan supplying the markets in South-West Asia. Cannabis resin was a far more profitable crop than opium poppy in 2010 in Afghanistan.

This morning, Fedotov stressed the principle of ‘shared responsibility’ and the need to build national, regional and international efforts in a comprehensive strategy on the cultivation, production and trafficking of drugs.

“Drugs cause some 200,000 deaths a year. Since people with serious drug problems provide the bulk of drug demand, treating this problem is one of the best ways of shrinking the market,” he said.

At the event, CADCA’s Chairman and CEO, General Arthur Dean, told those in attendance that CADCA believes that reducing the demand for drugs requires a comprehensive, multi-sector approach and a strong investment in community-based prevention.

“As this new World Drug Report demonstrates, global drug use is still unacceptably high and many people, both young and old, continue to abuse prescription drugs at alarming rates. This data underscores the need to redouble all our efforts and invest in effective prevention strategies.

The release of the 2011 World Drug Report coincides with International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (also known as World Drug Day), observed on June 26th. CADCA helped shape this year’s theme: “Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs,” which is meant to reinforce the role that communities play in addressing drug abuse.

“We applaud the UNODC on selecting a new theme for World Drug Day that reflects the important role that communities play in reducing substance abuse. CADCA is committed to helping to increase participation and public awareness around this important annual observance,” Gen. Dean noted.

CADCA is currently involved in working with community groups in eight foreign countries to help them build effective anti-drug coalitions to tackle their local drug abuse problems. In addition, CADCA is one of two U.S.-based non-government organizations (NGO) that have consultative status with the United Nations and is a member of the Vienna NGO Committee.