World Drug Report

Description

GS PAPER II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: Around 275 million people used drugs worldwide last year, while over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders, according to the World Drug Report released by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna.

Key findings of report:

The report also said many countries saw a rise in the use of cannabis during the coronavirus pandemic.
In surveys of health professionals across 77 countries, 42% said cannabis use had increased.
The report further noted that in the last 24 years, cannabis potency had increased as much as four times in some parts, even as the percentage of adolescents who perceived the drug as harmful fell by as much as 40%.
It highlights the need to close the gap between perception and reality to educate young people and safeguard public health.
Globally, over 11 million people are estimated to inject drugs, half of whom are living with Hepatitis C.
Opioids continue to account for the largest burden of disease attributed to drug use, by drugs it referred to substances controlled under international drug control conventions, and their non-medical use.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/united-nations-275-million-people-used-drugs-worldwide-in-2020/article34959528.ece?homepage=true