The emergence of new synthetic opioids and a record supply and demand of other drugs has compounded the impacts of the world drug problem, leading to a rise in drug use disorders and environmental harms, according to the World Drug Report 2024 launched by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today.“Drug production, trafficking, and use continue to exacerbate instability and inequality, while causing untold harm to people’s health, safety and well-being,” said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC. “We need to provide evidence-based treatment and support to all people affected by drug use, while targeting the illicit drug market and investing much more in prevention.”The number of people who use drugs has risen to 292 million in 2022, a 20 per cent increase over 10 years. Cannabis remains the most widely used drug worldwide (228 million users), followed by opioids (60 million users), amphetamines (30 million users), cocaine (23 million users), and ecstasy (20 million users).Nitazenes – a group of synthetic opioids which can be even more potent than fentanyl – have recently emerged in several high-income countries, resulting in an increase in overdose deaths.  Though an estimated 64 million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders, only one in 11 is in treatment. Women receive less access to treatment than men, with only one in 18 women with drug use disorders in treatment versus one in seven men.In 2022, an estimated 7 million people were in formal contact with the police (arrests, cautions, warnings) for drug offences, with about two-thirds of this total due to drug use or possession for use. In addition, 2.7 million people were prosecuted for drug offences and over 1.6 million were convicted globally in 2022, though there are significant differences across regions regarding the criminal justice response to drug offences.The Report includes special chapters on the impact of the opium ban in Afghanistan; synthetic drugs and gender; the impacts of cannabis legalization and the psychedelic “renaissance”; the right to health in relation to drug use; and how drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle is linked with other illicit activities and their impacts. Drug trafficking is empowering organized crime groupsDrug traffickers in the Golden Triangle are diversifying into other illegal economies, notably wildlife trafficking, financial fraud, and illegal resource extraction. Displaced, poor, and migrant communities are suffering the consequences of this instability, sometimes forced to turn to opium farming or illegal resource extraction to survive, falling into debt entrapment with crime groups, or using drugs themselves.These illicit activities are also contributing to environmental degradation through deforestation, the dumping of toxic waste, and chemical contamination.Consequences of cocaine surgeA new record high of 2,757 tons of cocaine was produced in 2022, a 20 per cent increase over 2021. Global cultivation of coca bush, meanwhile, rose 12 per cent between 2021 and 2022 to 355,000 hectares. The prolonged surge in cocaine supply and demand has coincided with a rise in violence in states along the supply chain, notably in Ecuador and Caribbean countries, and an increase in health harms in countries of destination, including in Western and Central Europe.Impact of cannabis legalizationAs of January 2024, Canada, Uruguay, and 27 jurisdictions in the United States had legalized the production and sale of cannabis for non-medical use, while a variety of legislative approaches have emerged elsewhere in the world.In these jurisdictions in the Americas, the process appears to have accelerated harmful use of the drug and led to a diversification in cannabis products, many with high-THC content. Hospitalizations related to cannabis use disorders and the proportion of people with psychiatric disorders and attempted suicide associated with regular cannabis use have increased in Canada and the United States, especially among young adults.Psychedelic “renaissance” encourages broad access to psychedelicsThough interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances has continued to grow in the treatment of some mental health disorders, clinical research has not yet resulted in any scientific standard guidelines for medical use.However, within the broader “psychedelic renaissance”, popular movements are contributing to burgeoning commercial interest and to the creation of an enabling environment that encourages broad access to the unsupervised, “quasi-therapeutic” and non-medical use of psychedelics. Such movements have the potential to outpace the scientific therapeutic evidence and the development of guidelines for medical use of psychedelics, potentially compromising public health goals and increasing the health risks associated with the unsupervised use of psychedelics.Implications of opium ban in AfghanistanFollowing the drastic decrease of Afghanistan’s opium production in 2023 (by 95 per cent from 2022) and an increase in production in Myanmar (by 36 per cent), global opium production fell by 74 per cent in 2023. The dramatic contraction of the Afghan opiate market made Afghan farmers poorer and a few traffickers richer. Long-term implications, including on heroin purity, a switch to other opioids by heroin users, and/or a rise in demand for opiate treatment services may soon be felt in countries of transit and destination of Afghan opiates.Right to health for people who use drugsThe report outlines how the right to health is an internationally recognized human right that belongs to all human beings, regardless of a person’s drug use status or whether a person is imprisoned, detained or incarcerated. It applies equally to people who use drugs, their children and families, and other people in their communities.* *** *For further information, please visit:World Drug Report 2024 homepage

UN-Habitat has been actively involved in assisting the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to develop comprehensive Risk Reduction Plans and implement vulnerability reduction activities. During the 2017, M7.2 earthquake in Kermanshah, west of Iran, several hospitals and healthcare facilities suffered severe damage, resulting in their malfunction during crisis, when most needed. This was also observed during previous natural disasters in the country, e.g. Bam, 2003 and Manjil, 1990 earthquakes as well as recent floods. Failure of the hospitals and healthcare facilities in crises increased the number of casualties as injured people were treated in tents and had to be transferred to farther centers to receive advanced medical treatments.  In response to recuring damage to healthcare facilities during natural disasters and in a concerted effort to bolster the country's medical facilities against the ravages of natural hazards, UN-Habitat, in partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and supported by the Government of Japan, launched the Project "Emergency Support for Safer Hospitals and Settlements" project in 2021.The Project was implemented in cooperation with the Executive Organization for Government and Public Buildings and Infrastructure (EOGPBI) and the Roads, Housing and Urban Development Research Center (BHRC), under the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development. It also involved a steering committee with members from various governmental organizations. A comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) approach was employed for this purpose to I) identify the vulnerabilities and risk of target healthcare facilities and II) take the required actions for treating the identified challenges. Various elements required for an integrated earthquake DRRM in Hospitals were developed and implemented within the pilot activities.A comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) approach was employed for this purpose to I) identify the vulnerabilities and risk of target healthcare facilities and II) take the required actions for treating the identified challenges. Various elements required for an integrated earthquake DRRM in Hospitals were developed and implemented within the pilot activities. Several consulting engineering companies from private sector implemented the studies on 11 large hospitals in the country under the technical supervision of a Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of UN-Habitat, experienced university professors, and representatives from the IPs, impacting around 380,000 square meters of health facilities and covering over 4,000 hospital beds nationwide, with an appropriate distribution all over the country. The Project was designed so that a broad range of community groups including elderly, people with disability, women and children can benefit from the project results as the beneficiaries of the hospitals. The initiative also facilitated fostering the skill and knowledge for retrofitting vulnerable hospitals by constructing model retrofits in key locations. A broad spectrum of engineers and site technicians from consulting companies and contractors were involved in the activities to provide retrofitting samples in two large hospitals. During the construction of role models, 110 vulnerable points in the piping system were retrofitted by 236 flexible joint pieces. The activity also included improving 85 vulnerable infill walls and improving the support of mechanical system using 267 prefabricated modular support frames.     These all were supported with a strong technical supervision of TWG who together with UN-Habitat developed the required guidelines and technical instructions in the field of the Project, trained the experts, developed software system for the Disaster Risk Management of hospitals and involved in the 2nd international Conference of Hospitals and Urban Critical Facilities held by UN-Habitat in Iran.  Development of a national guideline approved and published by PBO, issuing technical order-notes by EOGPBI to all the consulting companies and contractors of hospitals in the country to follow the achievements of the Project in other hospital projects nation-wide, as well as a multi-stakeholder approach for implementing the Project can ensure the sustainability of the Project achievements after ending and upscaling the results to other activities and projects.By leveraging the technical and engineering capacities and incorporating international experiences the Project received commendation from the government, academia, and the private sector for its contributions to strengthening Iran's healthcare system against natural disasters. In this regard Ali Sobati, the general manager of engineering affairs and new technologies of the EOPGBI said: “Based on the Project’s results, we have considered methodological changes both in design, implementation and use of innovative technologies in the field of Hospital constructions”.Also, Professor A. Aghakouchak, a university faculty states: “The BEHTAB Phase-II project, which was carried out in cooperation with UN-Habitat, is a very valuable project related to hospitals in the country. In this plan, a large group of academic professors cooperated in technical guidance as well as the main consultants of the country, which will certainly improve technical knowledge and experience in the country, and in the future, its results will be used in the modification of the regulations and methods of analysis and design of hospitals.”

In a step towards addressing drug use disorders significant progress has been made in establishing widespread services for the treatment of drug use disorders over the past two decades in Iran. Recognizing the need to further improve and bridge the gap between the medication-centered and the psychological and psychosocial interventions in drug treatment, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran has taken proactive measures to address this problem in close cooperation with the national partners.A crucial step in this endeavor was the recent organization of a comprehensive training workshop on “Assessment and Drug Use Disorders Treatment Counselling” in Tehran from 9th to 12th June 2024. This workshop, conducted in close collaboration with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), aimed to utilize the invaluable resources of the TreatNet package, developed by the UNODC. The workshop covered essential aspects of drug dependence treatment, providing insights into evidence-based practices and equipping participants with the necessary skills for effective counselling in the context of drug use disorders. The capacity and knowledge of the participants; counsellors and treatment professionals of the MoHME and the State Welfare Organization in Tehran and Alborz provinces, on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) screening and brief intervention basic counselling skills for the treatment of drug use dependence and basic principles of motivational interviewing were increased through a hands-on training workshop.Dr. Majid Ghorbani, the Director General of the Treatment and Social Support Office of the DCHQ, emphasized the workshop’s alignment with Iran’s national approach and roadmap to drug treatment. He highlighted the goal of integrating non-pharmacological approaches, based on scientific evidence, with pharmacological treatments to develop more comprehensive and effective treatment plans. Dr. Ghorbani emphasized the importance of experts’ knowledge and expertise in drug treatment, especially in counselling and understanding evidence-based approaches to motivate and retain clients. He acknowledged the intensified efforts supported by UNODC Iran in achieving this goal.Mr. Alexander Fedulov, UNODC Iran Country Representative, expressed his appreciation for the Iranian government’s dedicated efforts in combating drug use disorders. He assured that UNODC Iran, as the leading UN agency in the country’s drug control initiatives, remains committed to assisting service providers and individuals affected by illicit drugs, regardless of the circumstances. This commitment is upheld through the agency’s assistance under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iran and its Country Partnership Programme.The collaborative partnership between UNODC Iran and its national stakeholders holds great promise for advancing Iran’s drug treatment initiatives and better responding to the challenges posed by drug use disorders. By combining international expertise with local knowledge, this joint effort aims to enhance the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of drug treatment services in Iran. This collaboration owes its success to the generous funding by the Netherlands, enabling the realization of shared objectives and the advancement of impactful initiatives.

The recent Closing Ceremony of the UN-Habitat Project "Emergency Support for Safer Hospitals and Settlements (BEHTAB phase-II)" at the Iranian National Library on 15 May was a major milestone. This project, led by the UN-Habitat Tehran Office and funded by the Government of Japan, concluded in successfully enhancing the resilience of Iranian hospitals against natural disasters through a collaborative effort with the Iranian Executive Organization for Public and Government Buildings and Infrastructure (EOPGBI). The event brought together key stakeholders, including the UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, Mr. Stefan Priesner; Deputy Minister, Ali Nabian; Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Tamaki Tsukada; Director General, Gholamhossein Darzi from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Advisor to the Minister and Secretary of the National Habitat Committee, Mr. Arman Khorsand, and other participants in the project.The project, also known as BEHTAB Phase-II, focused on evaluating, designing, and implementing retrofitting measures in hospitals throughout Iran. This initiative aimed to assist the Iranian government in mitigating seismic risks associated with public buildings and bolstering their capacity to withstand future earthquakes.The BEHTAB phase-II project aligns with the UN's commitment to reducing disaster risks as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The project achieved significant milestones, including seismic vulnerability assessment and retrofitting design for 11 hospitals with 4000 beds and 380,000 square meters and constructing retrofit role models of the non-structural components in two selected hospitals within these facilities. Additionally, the project fostered institutional and personnel capacity development for long-term project sustainability.“We have witnessed the successful implementation of two major projects in Sari and Bushehr and look forward to commencing the BEHTAB Phase-III." Said Mr.Nabian who is also CEO of EOPGBI. Expressing his gratitude for the successful partnership. Priesner stated that the" BEHTAB phase-II project, initiated in 2021 with generous financial support from the Government and people of Japan, and with the partnership and cooperation of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was successfully implemented. It has yielded notable outcomes, a source of pride today."The BEHTAB Phase-II project in Iran has made significant strides in developing foundations for making healthcare facilities more resilient to earthquakes and other natural disasters. By assessing vulnerabilities and implementing retrofitting measures in selected hospitals, the project provides instructions for improving the facilities to ensure that these critical facilities remain operational during times of crisis. This effort together with the development of national guidelines and knowledge sharing with stakeholders and expert communities, not only enhances the safety and capacity of healthcare infrastructure but also strengthens disaster preparedness across the country, benefiting local communities by improving emergency response and overall resilience with a shared commitment to building resilient communities.The UN extends heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders involved in successfully implementing the BEHTAB phase-II project. This project underscores a collective dedication to safeguarding communities and the planet by emphasizing the importance of building resilience in the face of natural disasters and climate change challenges.