Over 64 million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders, while hundreds of thousands lose their lives to drug use every year.
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Ghada Waly, executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), made the disclosure on Wednesday.
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She made this known during a special event organised by the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, marked annually on June 26.
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The event was themed “Evidence to Impact: Powering Effective Drug Policies with Data Collection and Research.”
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Ms Waly said that roughly 14 million people around the world injected drugs and are more likely to contract HIV and Hepatitis C.
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According to Ms Waly, the 2024 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking focused on the need to invest in prevention.
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“By investing more, we can prevent drug use by young people, prevent many overdose deaths and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
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“We can alleviate pain and loss today while building resilience for the challenges of tomorrow,” Ms Waly said.
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READ MORE: UN Security Council raises concern over drug abuse in Nigeria
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She said that governments and other stakeholders must be equipped with data and evidence to inform responses and galvanise action.
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According to the official, this is the role of the World Drug Report, which sends a clear message that the world drug problem is evolving in dynamic, dangerous ways, with vulnerable people paying the price with their health and well-being.
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She said that the problem had continued to be characterised by inequality between those with the means to access health and those without.
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“As of 2022, only around one in 11 people with drug use disorders around the world received drug treatment, and coverage is even lower when looking at Asia or Africa alone.
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“The treatment gap also overlaps with gender inequality.
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“Only one in 18 women with drug use disorders receives treatment, with women continuing to face greater consequences for drug use and greater stigma and discrimination,” she added.
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The 2024 UNODC World Drug Report was also launched during the event.
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Philbert Johnson, the chair of the 67th Session of CND and Ghana’s Permanent Representative to UN Offices in Vienna, said that the report was a roadmap for evidence-based action.
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Mr Johnson said it served as a comprehensive resource for policymakers and researchers, offering valuable insights into the current drug landscape and highlighting emerging trends, regional variations, and the impact of drug policies.
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He said that evidence played a vital role in shaping policy decisions, adding that in the realm of drug policy, data collection and research provided transformative power.
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“They enable us to understand drug abuse patterns, trends, and the social and economic consequences that follow.
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“We have witnessed the positive outcomes that stem from evidence-driven initiatives.
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“By leveraging data and research, communities have been able to implement targeted interventions that address specific drug-related issues.
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“The power of data lies in its ability to guide our decision-making, ensuring that our policies are not only effective but also responsive to the evolving nature of the world drug problem,” he said.
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Mr Johnson, however, said that drug-related challenges continued to evolve, presenting complex obstacles.
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He said that stakeholders must be prepared to be innovative, leveraging evidence as their guide.
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He added that a multi-sectoral approach involving governments, civil society organisations, researchers, and international partners must be taken.
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“By collaborating, sharing knowledge, and pooling resources, we can develop comprehensive and sustainable solutions,” Mr Johnson said
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The post UNODC Says Over 64m Globally Suffer From Drug Use Disorders appeared first on Information Nigeria.
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