Drug Abuse
The World Drug Report (UNODC 2019) estimates the total number of people using illicit drugs at upwards of 271 million people—equivalent to about 4 per cent of the global population aged 15 to 64. Of that number, as many as 38 million people are drug dependent, but only about 4.9 million of them receive evidence-based drug dependence treatment and care.
There are over 27 million people around the world who abuse cocaine and heroin, most of them are without any real opportunity for cure. People take drugs to change the way they feel, think, or behave. In the past, most of the drugs that were used were made from plants, such as the coca bush for cocaine, opium poppies for heroin and cannabis for hashish or marijuana. More recently, drugs such as ecstasy or LSD are produced by synthesizing various chemicals.
In Thailand the synthetic drug, Yaa Baa, Thai for “crazy medicine,” a type of methamphetamine which is available in tablet form, is the most widely used illegal drug in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines and Indonesia it is called Shabu. Some researchers claim that abuse of Yaa Baa is more serious than crack or heroin addiction.
Russia has more heroin users than any other country in the world – up to two million, according to unofficial estimates. Heroin addiction kills 30,000 people per year in Russia. As efforts to stem the flow of Afghan heroin into Russia bring some limited success, and as the street price of heroin goes up, addicts who can’t afford their next hit, turn to a home-made drug called known as Krokodil, a synthetic opiate many times more powerful than heroin that is made from Codeine, gasoline, paint thinner, bleach, hydrochloric acid, iodine and red phosphorous scrape from the striking pads on matchboxes.
The drug is given its reptilian name because at the injection site, which can be anywhere from the feet to the forehead, the addict’s skin becomes greenish and scaly, like a crocodile’s, as blood vessels burst and the surrounding tissue dies. Gangrene and amputations are a common result, while porous bone tissue, especially in the lower jaw, often starts to dissipate, eaten up by the drug’s acidity.
How Prevalent is Drug Abuse?
Prevalence of abuse of different drugs varies considerably by region and even country throughout the world.
Marijuana and Hashish: Estimates show that cannabis is the most widely abused drug in all parts of the world, with an estimated 182 million people (or 2.4 per cent of the world’s population) consuming it. Cannabis abuse is increasing in many countries while stabilizing in countries where it has reached high levels.
Other Drugs from Plants: In general, cocaine together with various other coca-derived substances like “bazuco” (coca paste), is the second most widely abused drug in the Americas after cannabis, and coca-derived substances dominate the demand for treatment. It is estimated some 18 million people abuse cocaine worldwide.
Synthetic Drugs: Globally, estimates show that the abuse of synthetic drugs, particularly of amphetamine type stimulants (such as speed and ecstasy) is widespread and increasing rapidly. Some 30 million people abuse such synthetic stimulants.
Compared to other drugs, the abuse of heroin and other opiates is less prevalent. It is estimated that around 8 million people abuse opiates, mostly in Europe, Southeast and Southwest Asia. Rising levels of abuse are reported in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.