MORE PEOPLE FALLING PREY TO LURE OF DRUGS

The number of drug users worldwide increased by more than 27 per cent in
five years, according to a report entitled Global Illicit Drug Trends 2001
issued by the United Nations Drugs Control Programme (UNDCP).

In 1997, there were 141 million drug users worldwide, with this number
reaching 200 million in 2001.

This figure represents three per cent of the world population and 4.2 per
cent of the global population aged 15 and above.

According to data on illicit drug trends, the number of cannabis and
amphetamine-type stimulant users increased between 1998 and 1999, while the
consumption of cocaine and heroin fell in the same period.

However, cannabis remains the most widely consumed substance with 144
million users, followed by amphetamine-type stimulants with 29 million, and
cocaine with 14 million.

Opiate consumers account for more than 13 million of whom 9 million are
heroin users. However, these estimates are not very precise because drug
users frequently take more than one substance.

To meet the increase in drug demand, the global market witnessed a growth in
production.

In 1986, the world opium production was estimated at 2,000 tonnes, which
more than doubled in 2000, having crossed 4,700 tonnes.

In 2000, 50 per cent of the opium cultivation areas were located in Myanmar,
36 per cent in Afghanistan and 10 per cent in other Asian countries,
according to the report.

In Latin America, Colombia and Mexico account for four per cent of the
global cultivation.

But Afghanistan is considered the top producer of opium with 70 per cent of
the global production, followed by Myanmar with 23 per cent, other Asian
countries, five per cent, and Latin America the remaining two per cent.

UN officials say Iran now has an estimated 1.2 million opiate addicts,
including 150,000 who use heroin.

In Laos and Thailand, the addiction rate has reached 10 per cent of the
population, while in China there are a million addicts.

The problem of heroin addiction is directly related to the increase in HIV
infection. In fact, according to medical studies, 11 per cent of AIDS cases
are due to the use of contaminated needles by heroin addicts.

On the other hand, cocaine production is concentrated in Latin America,
where Colombia is considered the first producer with 56 per cent, followed
by Peru with 28 per cent and Bolivia with 16 per cent of the world
production of the coca leaf.

The annual production of the coca leaf is evaluated at 180,000 tonnes. Most
of this drug is exported to the U.S., Southern and Western Africa as well as
Europe.

Nevertheless, cannabis remains the most popular of all drugs, attracting
more than 71 per cent of the total number of drug users.

In contrast to opium and coca, its cultivation is not concentrated in one
area.

The UNDCP estimates the annual global production of cannabis at about 30,000
tonnes. Its consumption is increasing in Europe, Africa, and America, while
it is decreasing in south and south-west Asia.

According to the report, amphetamine and ecstasy recorded the strongest
increase. This increase was mainly concentrated in east and south- east
Asia, while the trend seemed to have stabilised in West Europe and North
America.

On the financial level, the illicit drug trade accounts for more than $ 400
billion of the world trade - almost as much as the international tourist
trade.

This phenomenon can be explained by the growth in world commerce and the
expansion of global finance markets that have facilitated money laundering
and illicit traffic.

This situation is improving and, according to the report, progress has been
most significant with regard to cocaine and heroin, which constitute the
main problems.

However, solving the problem of drug abuse and trafficking needs the efforts
and cooperation of all countries.

To counter the expansion of this illicit traffic, all countries must develop
a strategy that combines law enforcement and the promotion of awareness
campaigns.