The United Nations of Drug Addiction and Crime (UNODC) Chief Calls number of drug-related deaths worldwide unacceptable; Global opium cultivation highest since the late-1930s.
Drug use prevalence continues to be stable around
the world, according to the 2015 World Drug Report of the United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It is estimated that a total of 246 million people
- slightly over 5 per cent of those aged 15 to 64 years worldwide - used an
illicit drug in 2013. Some 27 million people are problem drug users, almost
half of whom are people who inject drugs (PWID). An estimated 1.65 million of
people who inject drugs were living with HIV in 2013. Men are three times more
likely than women to use cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines, while women are
more likely to misuse prescription uploads and tranquillizers.
Speaking on the International Day against Drug Abuse
and Illicit Trafficking, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov noted that,
although drug use is stable around the world, only one out of six problem drug
users has access to treatment. "Women in particular appear to face
barriers to treatment - while one out of three drug users globally is a woman,
only one out of five drug users in treatment is a woman." Additionally, Mr
Fedotov stated that more work needed to be done to promote the importance of
understanding and addressing drug dependence as a chronic health condition which,
like other chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, require
long-term, sustained treatment and care. "There is no quick and simple
remedy for drug dependence and we need to invest in long term, medical
evidence-based solutions."
Drug use and its impact on health.
A stable yet still unacceptably high number of drug
users worldwide continue to lose their lives prematurely, the UNODC Chief said,
with an estimated 187,100 drug-related deaths in 2013. The World Drug Report
includes data - gathered jointly with UNAIDS, WHO and the World Bank - on HIV
prevalence among PWID. In some countries women who inject drugs are more
vulnerable to HIV infection than men and the prevalence of HIV can be higher
among women who inject drugs than among their male counterparts. The number of
new HIV infections among PWID declined by roughly 10 per cent between 2010 and
2013: from an estimated 110,000 to 98,000. However, the World Drug Report also
indicates that many risk factors, including the transmission of infectious diseases
such as HIV and Hepatitis C and the incidences of drug overdoses, cause the
death rate among PWID to be 15 times higher than in the rest of the population.
While data indicate that the use of opiates (heroin
and opium) has remained stable at the global level and cocaine use has declined
overall, the use of cannabis and the non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioids
has continued to rise. Evidence suggests that more drug users are suffering
from cannabis use disorders, and that cannabis may be becoming more harmful, as
reflected in the high proportion of persons seeking first-time treatment in
several regions of the world. Demand for treatment has also increased for
amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) - including methamphetamine and MDMA or
'Ecstasy' - and for new psychoactive substances (NPS), also known as 'legal
highs'.
Illegal drug supply and markets Some 32.4 million
people - or 0.7 per cent of the world's adult population - are users of
pharmaceutical opioids and opiates such as heroin and opium. In 2014, global
potential opium production reached 7,554 tons - the second highest level since
the 1930s, mainly due to its cultivation increasing significantly in
Afghanistan, the main growing country. The global seizures of heroin,
meanwhile, increased by eight per cent, while illicit morphine seizures
decreased by 26 per cent from 2012 to 2013.
While maritime trafficking is not the most widely
used mode of smuggling drugs, law enforcement operations at sea have
potentially the greatest impact as the average volumes of seizures is
proportionally higher. In the period 2009-2014, for instance, the average for
each seizure by sea was 365kg, while by land (road and rail) it was 107kg and
by air 10kg. The 2015 World Drug Report also notes a dynamic shift in the
routes used for smuggling opiates, with Afghan heroin reaching new markets.
Recent seizures suggest that it may have become more common for large shipments
of Afghan heroin to be smuggled across the Indian Ocean into East and Southern
Africa. West Africa continues to be a trans-shipment area for smuggling cocaine
across the Atlantic into Europe, and Eastern Europe is emerging as a transit
area and as a destination for this drug.
This year's World Drug Report indicates that coca
bush cultivation continued to decline in 2013, reaching the lowest level since
1990. With a global prevalence of 0.4 per cent of the adult population, cocaine
use remains high in Western and Central Europe, North America and Oceania
(Australia) though recent data shows a declining trend overall. Cannabis use is
on the rise and continues to be high in West and Central Africa, Western and
Central Europe, Oceania, and North America. Data for 2013 show an increase in
the quantities of cannabis herb and cannabis resin seized worldwide, reaching
5,764 and 1,416 tons respectively.
Methamphetamine dominates the global market for
synthetic drugs, and is expanding in East and South-East Asia. Crystalline
methamphetamine use is increasing in parts of North America and Europe.
Seizures of ATS since 2009 - which have almost doubled to reach over 144 tons
in 2011 and 2012, and remained at a high level in 2013 - also point to a rapid
expansion in the global market. By December 2014, a total of 541 new
psychoactive substances which have negative health impact had been reported by
95 countries and territories - a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous
year's figure of 450.
Alternative Development as a long-term strategy
against illicit crops
The 2015 World Drug Report thematic focus is on
Alternative Development, a long-term strategy aimed at developing alternative
sources of income for farmers dependent on illicit drug cultivation. This
activity is driven by many factors, including marginalization, the lack of
security, and the social and political situations of rural communities.
Alternative Development aims to reduce these vulnerabilities and ultimately
eliminate the cultivation of illicit drugs. More than 40 years of experience
have shown that this approach works when there is a long-term vision, adequate
funding, and the political support to integrate it into a broader development
and governance agenda.
Marketing licit products, land tenure and the
sustainable management and use of land are crucial to the long-term success of
alternative development interventions. "Unfortunately, this year's World
Drug Report also shows that widespread political support for Alternative
Development has not been matched by funding," Mr Fedotov added, as he
urged for shared responsibility against illicit drugs. Funding allocated by
OECD countries to support Alternative Development declined by 71 per cent
between 2009 and 2013, amounting to only 0.1 per cent of global development
assistance. UNODC's Executive Director noted that in the lead up to next year's
UN General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem, the
international community's post-2015 Development Agenda can help to promote
Alternative Development efforts, with broader interventions addressing drug
supply and demand.
Statement from Mr Yury Fedotov,
Executive Director of UNODC
on International Day against
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
26 June 2015
Today is an important day for focusing on the threat
of the production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs. Robust action is needed
to strengthen criminal justice systems, break-up the criminal networks who deal
in misery and suffering, and to nurture health and human rights-based
responses.
People also endure unbelievable pain due to a lack
of controlled medications for medical purposes. Measures must be taken to
ensure that people across the globe can access pain relief where necessary. We
must also do everything to promote greater understanding of drug use as a
social and health condition that calls for, like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis,
sustained prevention, treatment and care.
Science and evidence-based practices must prevail in
the delivery of prevention and treatment of drug use. These approaches are the
foundation for all our efforts. With nearly 200,000 drug-related deaths and with
1.65 million infected with HIV in 2013, access to evidence based prevention and
treatment can sometimes be the difference between life and death.
At present, only one in six people who use drugs
globally has access to treatment. Women face numerous barriers to
treatment-while one in three drug users globally are women, only one in five
drug users in treatment are women.
Africa, particularly West and East Africa, also
remains vulnerable to the trafficking and the consumption of illicit drugs.
These trends are part of organized crime's attack on the security, health and
development of an already-fragile region. The nexus of organized crime and
terrorism-including the apparent role of drug trafficking-is a serious threat.
Opium cultivation in Afghanistan remains a formidable challenge, as is the
production of cocaine in Latin America.
UNODC's own work shows that the balanced approach of
confronting drug supply and drug demand is fundamental. Alternative development
for farmers who cultivate illicit crops also has a major role. Alternative
development promotes environmental protection, supports communities affected by
other forms of crime, including wildlife and forest crime, and empowers women.
Countries must also work hard to protect the promise
of future generations. Young people should be encouraged to undertake new
initiatives that can develop aspirations and opportunities, as well as
dignity.
The UN General Assembly Special Session on the world
drug problem, to be held in April 2016, can assist in the exchanges of ideas
and lessons learned, and will do much to help achieve the goals set out in the
Political Declaration and Plan of Action by 2019.
On the International Day against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking, and ahead of the UN Summit on Sustainable Development, it
is important to remember that illicit drugs undermine the environment, security
and development. Countering their impact using a balanced and human rights
based approach is vital to protect and promote the health and welfare of humankind.
Drug addicts spend Tk 70cr everyday in
Bangladesh
Manzurul Alam Mukul:
When the `International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking` is
being observed in Bangladesh like elsewhere in the world today (Friday) then it
is unfortunate that about six million who are drug addicted in Bangladesh spend
over Tk 700 million (Tk 70 crore) every
day on illegal narcotics.
Basically, drug abuse or substance abuse refers to
the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on
the brain.
Drug abuse is a major public health problem
globally. According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), between 149
million and 271 million people worldwide use the illicit drugs such as cocaine,
cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics. The problem has been
increasing at alarming rates in recent days, especially among young adults
under the age of 30.
It is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and
injury conditions; these majorly include several types of cancer, hemorrhagic
stroke and hypertensive heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, liver
cirrhosis, neuropsychiatric diseases, etc. According to a report, illegal drug
use causes about a quarter of a million deaths per year, and use is highest in
developed countries.
The harmful use of drug can also result in harm to
other people, such as family members, friends, co-workers and strangers.
Moreover, the harmful use of drug results in a significant health, social and
economic burden on society at large.
In recent years, drug addiction has significantly
increased in the South Asian countries including Bangladesh. Hundreds of
thousands of youths across Bangladesh are taking drugs on a large scale,
sending our society on the verge of ruin.
Daily newspapers and televisions are full of reports of drug network
having a turnout of 1 crore (tens of millions) of taka. This agent of human
devastation has spread its tentacles to every nock and corner.
There are three types of drugs available in
Bangladesh. Opium (like, heroin, phensidyl); Cannabis (ganja, chorosh);
sleeping pill (tranquilizer, seduxene). The most common drugs used in
Bangladesh are stimulants. The teens are ignorant about variation of drugs.
Some of them cannot tell the difference between stimulants and marijuana. There
are a large number of young using drugs.
DNC intelligence sources say heroin is the deadliest
of drugs in Bangladesh. In recent times, Yaba has gained in popularity and has
become a `fashionable` drug. Cough syrup Phensidyl has remained the most
popular among the masses because of its low price and easy availability.
According to the police and other sources, the
number of addicts in Bangladesh is more than six million who spend over Tk 700
million (70 crore) every day on illegal narcotics.
A study conducted by the Journal of Health,
Population and Nutrition (JHPN) of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal
Disease Research Bangladesh (ICDDRB) shows that in the capital Dhaka, 79.4
percent of the users are male and 20.6 percent are female. The study finds that 64.8 percent drug users
in the country are unmarried while 56.1percent either students or unemployed,
95.4% percent users smokers and 85.7 percent get into drugs under the influence
of friends; 65.8 percent addicted to various codeine-containing cough syrups.
According sources with different health facilities,
nowadays nearly 10 per cent of outpatients in hospitals are cases of drug
addiction involving heroin, ganja and phensidyl.
The trend of consuming drugs is higher in youth and
teenagers between 15-30 years of age and come from all strata of the society.
Students are the most victim of drug abuse that lowers standards of education
and attendance at schools and colleges.
There are a number of reasons why a teenager might try drugs. The
leading causes include curiosity and excitement through use, despair and
frustration for continuous failure in works or economic insolvency, some are addicts because they try to follow
the western culture of drugs and enjoyment of life, poverty, easy access to
drugs, surrounding atmosphere, estranged in love and even mental stress due to
family problem.
According to police sources, more than 100,000
people are directly involved with illegal drug trade and supplying. Peddlers
prefer women and children for carrying and selling drugs because it is easier
for them to evade law enforcers, sources said.
Many experts believe that Bangladesh is often used
as a transit point for international drug trafficking, making the country
vulnerable to drug abuse. Bangladesh is
situated in the central point between golden crescent (Pakistan, India,
Afghanistan and Iran) in terms of geographical location. And it is also surrounded by the major drug
producing countries of Asia, many of which are strengthening their narcotics
and stepping up enforcement measures.
Traffickers who supply drugs in the markets of Northern America, Africa
and Europe are making their shipments through Dhaka, Chittagong, Comilla,
Khulna, Jessore and other routes in Bangladesh.
So, in near future, Bangladesh will face a
catastrophe if the alarming drug abuse is not effectively checked through
extensive motivation and prevention.
About the irrational behavior and drug addiction,
many social scientists blame the examples set by their elders. Firstly, parents
and elders who drink and smoke are, in effect, telling their children and
juniors that it is a socially acceptable behaviour. Consequently they may have
a similar view towards illegal drugs, even if their parents and guardians are
against their use.
In addition, drug use shown on television, films,
magazines and public displays can only attract children, if not confuse them,
about the serious health-hazards that are associated with drug abuse.
Roles of the department of narcotics control,
police, RAB and BGB are not up to the satisfactory level.
June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse
and Illicit Trafficking. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in
1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member States of
creating an international society free of drug abuse.
The theme for this year’s celebration is dubbed
‘Let’s Develop our Lives, our Communities without Drugs’.
So, it is need to execute properly execution of the
related law against the spreading of drugs throughout the world including
Bangladesh. Side-by-side all conscious people irrespective of classes and
professions including parents, teachers, religious and political leaders,
players and sports personalities will come ahead to create social awareness and
expedite the anti-drug movement to save our future generation from the
aggression of the drugs.
risingbd/DHAKA/June 26, 2015
Sex
and the single girl, Bangladeshi-style
The result of restricting the acceptability of sex
to marriage is not fewer girls having sex at a younger age, it is more girls
getting married at a younger age
There are few issues which are so apparently cut and
dried as the age of marriage for women.
It seems self-evident that lowering the age from 18
to 16, as the government proposes to do, is a poor idea, and I hope that the
government listens to the legions of experts and critics of the proposed
legislation, and that good sense prevails.
The argument that the age of marriage is 16 in many
other countries such as the UK (with parental consent) is irrelevant to the
case at hand.
The UK does not have a problem with early marriage,
Bangladesh does. If the marriage age in the UK were raised to 18 it would make
very little difference and impact very few lives.
But in Bangladesh, the proposed change in the law
would impact millions and have far-reaching consequences, none of them good.
At a very basic level there is a lot of data out
there to show that the later a woman gets married, the later she will typically
have her first child, and that this is correlated to a raft of desirable social
outcomes, both for the woman and the child.
The later women get married and give birth,
typically, the higher their educational attainment, better their earning
prospects over the course of their life-time, and the more likely they are to
be happy and healthy throughout their lives. This much is incontrovertible.
If there is one thing we should be encouraging women
to do to benefit both themselves and society as a whole, it would be to marry
and have children later.
This would also have a major impact on the country’s
population problem. We have done a great job in reducing the average number of
children each woman has to just above two, leading to a population growth rate
of 1.2% per year. Not bad at all.
The big problem we face, however, continues to be
the age at which these births occur. The math is simple. Compare the difference
between a country where a woman typically has her first child at age 20 with
one where the average age for this is 25.
In this scenario, even if women in both countries
bear the same number of children, over a period of 100 years the first country
will see five generations and the second only four, leading to massive
difference in population growth over the course of the century.
The average age of first child-birth in Bangladesh
is around 18. You do the math. The later first child-birth happens, the better
for the woman, the child, and the country.
And of course, the earlier women get married, the
earlier that they will have their first child.
There are a lot of social pressures for parents to
marry their girls off at a young age, but the government should be helping them
resist this pressure, not adding to it.
If the government started an awareness campaign and
followed up with tough prosecution for offenders, it could send a stern message
and really cut down on the incidence of child marriage.
Now it is true that many parents wish to marry their
girls off early so as to ward of the threat of harassment, rape, or assault,
which become serious and pressing concerns as soon as girls reach puberty, if
not before.
But in lowering the marriage age, the government is
solving the wrong problem, and it should instead focus its resources on
protecting girls from this kind of predatory behavior so that they would not
have to seek the perceived shelter of marriage to be free of it.
It is precisely because girls in their early teens
are considered marriageable that they become the object of this kind of
unwelcome attention, and often the harassment is used as a prelude to demand
their hand in marriage, with parents having no other recourse but to accede.
This is the kind of abuse that will only get worse
if the government lowers the marriage age and continues to do nothing about policing
marriage at an even lower age, instead turning a blind eye.
In addition to keeping the marriage age at 18, the
government should be cracking down both on under-age marriage and the kind of
predatory criminal behavior that makes parents think it is their only recourse.
A little government attention to this matter would go a long way.
Of course the real elephant in the room here is the
social stigma which is attached to pre-marital sex and pregnancy. One reason
parents are so keen to marry their girls off before the age of 18, and many
girls themselves wish to marry before then, is the strict societal taboo
against pre-marital sex and the disastrous consequences of unmarried pregnancy.
We need to recognise that girls may well wish to be
sexually active in their teenage years and that the best way to address this
issue is to educate them to have responsible sex and to ensure that the costs
of doing so are not so ruinous.
Many people might be appalled at such a thought, but
the result of restricting the acceptability of sex to marriage is not fewer
girls having sex at a younger age, it is more girls getting married at a
younger age.
But if we are not willing to seriously grapple with
and come to terms with the issue of teenage girls having sex and the high costs
of pre-marital sex in our society, then the government’s proposal is not as
outlandish as it seems.
WHO reports about Africa 2000-2015
This executive summary highlights key facts from the
progress report on the Global health sector response to HIV, 2000-2015.
Successful HIV responses are not yet universal, but they are common enough to
have made a huge impact in the past 15 years.
The number of adults and children newly infected
with HIV globally declined by 35% in 2000–2014.
The number of people dying from HIV-related causes
declined by 24% in 2000–2014 and by over 40% since 2004, the peak year.
HIV treatment reached almost 16 million people in
mid-2015 – more than 11 million of them in the African Region, where only about
11 000 people had been receiving treatment in 2000.
Millennium
Development Goal 6, which called for halting and beginning to reverse the
spread of HIV by 2015, was achieved, and the HIV response contributed to
significantly reducing child mortality (Millennium Development Goal 4) and
maternal mortality (Millennium Development Goal 5).
Global Summary of HIV
Epidemic in Women and Children, 2014
|
||||
Global
|
South Asia
|
%
|
||
Estimated number of
women (15+) living with HIV
|
17,400,000
|
800,000
|
5
|
|
Estimated number of
pregnant women living with HIV
|
1,500,000
|
36,000
|
2
|
|
Estimated number of
children (<15) living with HIV
|
2,600,000
|
140,000
|
5
|
|
Estimated number of
children (<15) newly infected with HIV
|
220,000
|
14,000
|
6
|
|
Estimated number of
children (<15) dying of AIDS-related causes
|
150,000
|
9,000
|
6
|
|
Source: UNAIDS 2014
HIV and AIDS estimates, July 2015
|
||||
HIV and AIDS estimates (2015) In Bangladesh
