The U.N. Calls for Heightened Attention to Addiction Treatment in Response to COVID-19

The world’s illicit drug usage problem continues to worsen and the global COVID-19 pandemic could serve to compound the problem in myriad ways, according to the latest U.N. “World Drug Report,” released late last month. According to the report, almost 270 million people worldwide used drugs in 2018, a 30 percent increase from 2009. Of these users, an estimated 35.6 million suffer from drug use disorders and only one out of eight people in need of drug-related treatment receive it. Additionally, while one out of every three drug users are female, only one out of every five people in treatment are female, suggesting that women are under served by global addiction treatment services.

While COVID-19-related lockdowns and economic disruptions are likely to upset global illegal drug markets, the pandemic will also likely force governments to reduce drug-related budgets. This includes everything from enforcement at the local level to multi-government efforts to stem international trafficking. It could also include government support for addiction treatment and educational campaigns. Such budget reductions are expected to be global in scope, but likely be most noticeable in poorer countries.

According to the report, COVID-19’s impact on the delivery of drug addiction services varies by country. While some countries have tried to increase services to addicts and reduced barriers for obtaining opiate-substitution medications, other countries report that they have been “having difficulties in maintaining services for drug users.”

Overall, the U.N. believes the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 has the significant potential to “worsen levels of drug production, trafficking and use.” In response, the U.N. believes governments should focus their energies in large part on evidence-based drug use prevention, evidence-based drug addiction treatment, and on delivering services aimed at reducing associated harm in areas affected by drug use and addiction. In fact, the U.N. asserts that there is “overwhelming evidence” that evidence-based treatments for drug use disorders comes at a cheaper cost than the damages caused by leaving drug dependence untreated. Scientific evidence-based treatment of drug use disorders not only helps reduce drug-related harm but also improves the health, well-being and recovery of people with drug use disorders while at the same time reducing drug-related crime and increasing public safety and positive community outcomes. Along with boosting evidence-based treatment, the U.N. notes that the “stigma associated with drug use and drug use disorders needs to be addressed by promoting the understanding that the initiation of drug use and the development of drug use disorders are influenced by factors that are often beyond the control of an individual.”