The UN alert of record proliferation of more potent and dangerous synthetic drugs

The UN warned on Monday in Vienna on a deep transformation of the drug market, with the proliferation of increasingly accessible, powerful and dangerous synthetic substances.

«The number of drugs accessible to people today is more diverse, powerful and harmful than ever,» said the general director of the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime (UNUDD), Ghada Waly, in her speech before the UN Commission of the UN 2025.

«The consumption of multiple substances at the same time, known as polyconsumo, is increasing and becoming more complex, while the treatments remain out of the reach of most of those who need them, especially women and young people,» he added.

The illegal drug trafficking is not only growing, but diversifying, said the general director of the UNUD.

The UN has registered more than 1,300 psychoactive substances, with a significant increase in amphetamine stimulants and synthetic opioids.

In North America, the fentanyl continues to cause tens of thousands of deaths due to overdose every year, while in the Middle East, a type of synthetic stimulant, dominates the illegal market.

The UN alerted in its latest reports of the worldwide increase in drug consumers and the proliferation of synthetic, cheaper, easy to produce and difficult to trace those of plant origin, such as cocaine and heroin.

In 2022, a total of 292 million people consumed some drugs worldwide, a 20 % higher number of consumers than a decade ago.

Waly also pointed out that the cocaine market is reaching record levels and, for the fifth consecutive year, the seizures in Europe have exceeded those of North America, and their consumption has grown in emerging markets such as Africa and Asia.

Health and safety crisis
At a global level, one in four people who consume drugs develops some type of disorder, but, of this last group, only one in each eleven receives treatment.

Women face greater barriers to access help due to stigmatization, and young people are especially vulnerable to new substances and consumption methods, summarized UNUD director.

Specifically, of the 64 million people who suffer from some type of drug use disorder, only 9 % receive treatment.

This low level of access to therapies affects women more (5 %) than men (18 %).

Drug trafficking also delves into conflicts and weakens global security, Waly warned in his inaugural speech of the annual session of the Narcotic Commission.

«Drug trafficking routes are going through war and empty areas in the rule of law, from Haiti passing through the Middle East to the ‘Golden Triangle’ (a border area between Burma, Laos and Thailand), feeding instability and organized crime,» said the general director.

Violence linked to drug trafficking has intensified in countries of different levels of development, and criminal networks have perfected their strategies for money laundering and corruption.

Given this scenario, the UNUD urged member states to redouble their commitment to international cooperation.

«Organized crime is the only one who wins when drugs and their precursors cross borders without control,» concluded Ghada Waly in his speech against delegates around the world.

EFE