While use of traditional illicit drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, has remained stable, the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), such as synthetic marijuana, and MDPV or “bath salts”, increased dramatically throughout the world, according to the 2013 World Drug Report. The report was released on World Drug Day this week by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The report found that the number of NPS reported by Member States to UNODC rose from 166 at the end of 2009 to 251 by mid-2012, an increase of more than 50 percent.
“Over the past few years, we’ve heard from CADCA members about the negative impact these drugs are having in communities across the United States. Many young people are using these drugs under the mistaken belief that because they are not illegal and sold in stores they must be safe. However, synthetic marijuana, also referred to as ‘spice’ or ‘K2’, and ‘bath salts’ have proven to be anything but – leading to strong hallucinations, violent behavior and even suicides,” said CADCA Chairman and CEO Gen. Arthur T. Dean in a statement.
The report noted the unique challenge that these substances pose.
“Given the almost infinite scope to alter the chemical structure of NPS, new formulations are outpacing efforts to impose international control. While law enforcement lags behind, criminals have been quick to tap into this lucrative market,” the UNODC stated in their press release, adding that in response to the proliferation of NPS, UNODC has launched an early warning system which will allow the global community to monitor the emergence and take appropriate actions.
The World Drug Report also noted that prescription opiate use remains high and polydrug use, especially the combination of prescription drugs and illicit substances, continues to be a concern, especially the misuse of sedatives and tranquillizers – with more than 60 per cent of the countries covered in the report ranking such substances as among the first three misused types of substances.
To download the 2013 World Drug Report, visit: http://www.unodc.org/wdr/. Click here to read CADCA’s media statement on the report.
“Over the past few years, we’ve heard from CADCA members about the negative impact these drugs are having in communities across the United States. Many young people are using these drugs under the mistaken belief that because they are not illegal and sold in stores they must be safe. However, synthetic marijuana, also referred to as ‘spice’ or ‘K2’, and ‘bath salts’ have proven to be anything but – leading to strong hallucinations, violent behavior and even suicides,” said CADCA Chairman and CEO Gen. Arthur T. Dean in a statement.
The report noted the unique challenge that these substances pose.
“Given the almost infinite scope to alter the chemical structure of NPS, new formulations are outpacing efforts to impose international control. While law enforcement lags behind, criminals have been quick to tap into this lucrative market,” the UNODC stated in their press release, adding that in response to the proliferation of NPS, UNODC has launched an early warning system which will allow the global community to monitor the emergence and take appropriate actions.
The World Drug Report also noted that prescription opiate use remains high and polydrug use, especially the combination of prescription drugs and illicit substances, continues to be a concern, especially the misuse of sedatives and tranquillizers – with more than 60 per cent of the countries covered in the report ranking such substances as among the first three misused types of substances.
To download the 2013 World Drug Report, visit: http://www.unodc.org/wdr/. Click here to read CADCA’s media statement on the report.
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