Global Cocaine Demand and Methamphetamine Trafficking on the Rise, Says UN Report

Cocaine demand and supply are booming worldwide, while methamphetamine trafficking is expanding into new markets, including Afghanistan, according to a United Nations report released on Sunday.

The report, titled The World Drug Report, revealed that coca bush cultivation and cocaine production reached record highs in 2021.

The global number of cocaine users, estimated to be around 22 million, is also steadily increasing.

Image courtesy of Sky News

Although cocaine production has been on the rise, seizures have outpaced production, thereby containing the total supply to some extent. The report noted that the upper band of the estimated total supply was higher in the mid-2000s than it is now.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated that the surge in cocaine supply and demand is being felt globally, and it is likely to lead to the development of new markets beyond the traditional ones.

While the Americas and Western and Central Europe remain the primary regions for the global cocaine market, the report highlighted that the fastest growth is occurring in developing markets in Africa, Asia, and South-Eastern Europe.

Regarding methamphetamine, the report revealed that nearly 90% of worldwide seizures occurred in East and Southeast Asia and North America. However, while these regions have stabilized at a high level, trafficking has increased in other areas such as the Middle East and West Africa.

The report also highlighted indications of a changing drug economy in Afghanistan, with reports and seizures involving locally-produced methamphetamine. Afghanistan is known for being the source of 80% of the world’s illicit opium poppy, which is primarily used for heroin production.

The UNODC report paints a concerning picture of the global drug landscape, with cocaine demand and supply showing no signs of slowing down and methamphetamine trafficking expanding into new territories.

Efforts to combat drug trafficking and address drug addiction will require international collaboration and targeted interventions to tackle this growing problem.