Global cocaine production has reached record levels as demand for the drug rebounds following COVID lockdowns, according to a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The report revealed that cocaine cultivation rose by 35% between 2020 and 2021, resulting in record levels of cocaine production. The findings also suggest that new hubs for trafficking have emerged in West and Central Africa.
The report highlights that Europe and North America are the two largest markets for cocaine, followed by South and Central America and the Caribbean. While the markets in Africa and Asia were reported to be “still limited,” the UN warns that the potential for the market to expand there is a dangerous reality.
One of the factors behind the increase in cocaine production was an expansion in the cultivation of coca bushes, as well as improvements in converting coca into powdered cocaine. Additionally, traffickers are reportedly using international postal services more often to get drugs to consumers.
The UN’s Ghada Waly warns that the global surge in cocaine production is a growing public health threat and urges countries to take a coordinated, comprehensive approach to combat drug trafficking and reduce demand. She also emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that drive people towards drug use.
The report’s findings reflect a worrying trend in the drug trade, with increased production and trafficking of cocaine leading to more addiction and drug-related harm. Efforts to curb drug use and trafficking require a comprehensive approach that includes measures to reduce demand, disrupt supply chains, and provide effective treatment and support for those struggling with addiction.
The UN’s report underscores the need for a concerted effort to tackle the global cocaine trade and reduce its impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.