synthetic drugsHow fentanyl, dominate the markets, and this has created a worldwide problem with drugs is becoming “more complex,” the Office’s chief executive warned United Nations Against Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Gada Vali, this Thursday.

In his opening speech at a major meeting on international drug policy, Wali emphasized that “synthetic drugs have changed the landscape by making it cheaper and easier to produce and transport extremely potent and often lethal substances.”

“The world’s drug problem is becoming increasingly complex,” he added at the start of a meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the UN’s top drug control body. drugs, which are discussed today and tomorrow in Vein drug problem.

“Today, synthetic drugs dominate markets, and substances like fentanyl are responsible for record drug-related deaths. overdose”, he warned.

These synthetic substances, which are cheaper and easier to produce and transport, are contributing to a complex global scenario that increases the threat from traditional plant-based drugs such as cocaine And heroin.

The cocaine market is expanding, stimulating violence in various parts of the world, including Europe, where port cities love Antwerp (Belgium) and Rotterdam (Netherlands) The largest seizures have occurred in recent decades.

“Internet “It is growing as a market for drugs, precursors and non-scheduled chemicals, and as a platform for the exchange of industrial knowledge,” he said.

” cryptocurrencies “They make it difficult to track transactions,” Wali said, creating a huge problem for the international community.

You might be interested > Mexico records significant rise in synthetic drug seizures – UN

The UNODC director also stressed that it is demand that drives all illegal drug trafficking and related violence, which has a “devastating” result.

“There are not enough police and law enforcement agencies to put an end to the illegal drug market while there is such a huge demand,” he concluded.

Wali called on Member States to review and strengthen the commitments made in the 2019 International Drug Strategy and stressed the need to focus on health and treatment instead of punishment and more investment in prevention.

He also called for unity given the growing differences between states over tackling the drug problem, the production and consumption of which has increased significantly in recent years.

In 2019, Commission states adopted a declaration that promoted a “drug abuse-free society” and committed to continue working towards eliminating the problem by 2029. cultivation, production, transportation and consumption drugs.

According to the UN’s own data, this goal is further ahead than ever, given that market The number of drugs, both traditional and synthetic, is at an all-time high, with more users, more types of drugs, and more drug-related deaths than half a million per year.

For many years there has been a deep divide between countries such as Iran, Russia, China and the Arabswho favor a strong hand and block possible reforms, and others such as European Union, USA, Canada, Mexico and Colombiawho advocate a less punitive and public health approach.

(EFE)