The report, released in conjunction with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day on June 26, found the number of drug users reached 292 million in 2022, with cannabis being the most common drug used.
However, the emergence of new synthetic opioids such as nitazenes is causing concern due to their potency and potential for overdose deaths.
The report also highlighted how drug cartels in Southeast Asia are weaving themselves into a web of illegal activities, including wildlife trafficking and deforestation. This devastates the environment and displaces communities. Increased cocaine production fuels violence along transportation routes, while high-THC cannabis legalisation in some countries is associated with a rise in attempted suicides.
The traditional criminal justice approach, prioritising arrests and punishment, is proving ineffective. Countries are looking at evidence-based alternatives, with a shift towards public health strategies.
This week, Malaysia tabled new amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 which would empower officers from the country's drug agency to arrest, treat, and rehabilitate “drug dependants or misusers” in a bid to ease overcrowding in prisons.
The bill is seen as a step away from the country’s draconian anti-drug laws, shifting the focus from locking up people who use drugs to treatment and rehabilitation. But experts are worried about making rehabilitation mandatory for all and whether the current rehabilitation centres are well equipped to accommodate the influx of patients.
Australia offers a fascinating case study on the complexities of drug policy reform. While the government allocates significant resources to law enforcement, harm reduction and prevention programmes receive a fraction of the funding. This imbalance raises questions about the effectiveness of the current approach.
Pill testing will be introduced in the state of Victoria later in the year, aimed at reducing the risk of overdose deaths, especially at music festivals. It follows similar schemes in the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland which have so far shown to save lives. This has encouraged the state of New South Wales to implement a similar approach.
Australia has also taken a progressive step by making naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses, free and available without a prescription, although uptake has been slow.
The illegal drug trade poses a significant threat to national security in some countries. India's northeast states, bordering Myanmar, serve as a stark example. The drug trade fuels violence and instability, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses security concerns and public health.
The situation in Punjab also struggles with widespread substance use and trafficking. Addressing the underlying factors that contribute to drug use, such as lack of economic opportunities, is crucial to tackling this issue effectively.
This year's World Drug Day theme acknowledges that it is crucial to adopt a scientific evidence-based approach that prioritises prevention and treatment as a step for drug policy reform.
A public health approach that prioritises harm reduction, treatment, prevention, and dismantling accessibility barriers offers a more promising path forward, promoting public health and safety while fostering global stability.
Shahirah Hamid is the Senior Commissioning Editor at 360info Southeast Asia
