Synthetic substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamine now dominate illegal drug markets. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that as many as 13.2 million people were using suspected substances in 2021. This is 18 per cent more than estimated.

Globally, the number of drug users has increased by 23 per cent. Also of concern is the fact that drug-related mental disorders have increased by as much as 45 (!) per cent. The number of addicts has risen to almost 40 million in the last decade. The UN report states that young people and those from low socio-economic classes are most susceptible to addiction to illicit substances.

It also showed that people in Eastern Europe and North America are more likely to have a drug problem than those in East and Southeast Asia. Based on data from 18 countries, it was also found that men are five times more likely than women to take illegal substances and drag their partners into addiction.

Despite the worrying data, only one in five people have access to treatment. The UN reports that the reasons for that vary and include:

• Covid-19 pandemic,
• fear of legal sanctions,
• social stigma,
• lack of childcare,
• fear of losing custody of children.

"We need to step up responses against drug trafficking rings that are exploiting conflicts and global crises to expand illicit drug cultivation and production, especially of synthetic drugs, fueling illicit markets and causing greater harm to people and communities," said Ghada Waly, head of UNODC.