U.N. Report Reveals Booming Cocaine Market and the Spread of Meth Trafficking

Cocaine and methamphetamine use and trafficking are on the rise worldwide, according to a recent report by the United Nations. The report states that cocaine production and the cultivation of coca bushes reached record levels in 2021. It also reveals that the number of cocaine users globally is steadily increasing, with an estimated 22 million users in 2021.

However, the report also highlights that the seizures of cocaine have been growing at a faster rate than production, which has somewhat contained the overall supply of the drug. The report indicates that the global cocaine market remains concentrated in the Americas and Western and Central Europe, with significant prevalence in Australia. Nevertheless, it suggests that developing markets in Africa, Asia, and South-Eastern Europe are experiencing the fastest growth in relative terms, albeit starting from low initial levels.

Regarding methamphetamine, the report shows that the majority of seizures occur in East and Southeast Asia and North America. While these markets seem to have stabilized at a high level, trafficking of the drug has increased in other regions, such as the Middle East and West Africa.

The report also raises concerns about the production of methamphetamine in Afghanistan, which is known for its illicit opium poppy cultivation used in heroin production. It suggests that the country's drug economy is changing, and there are uncertainties about the relationship between the manufacture of heroin and methamphetamine, whether they will develop together or one will replace the other.

Overall, the UNODC report emphasizes the global surge in both the supply and demand of cocaine, with indications of potential new markets emerging beyond the traditional regions. It underscores the need for continued international efforts to address the growing challenges posed by drug trafficking and substance abuse.