With synthetic drugs offering flexibility in production, the world saw an alarming increase in its usage with an estimated 30 million people using amphetamines, 20 million “ecstasy” users. The production is expanding in low- and middle-income countries and even in nations with a strong rule of law, says World Drug Report 2024 by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Laboratories producing stimulants, depressants, and novel dissociatives have been found in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Near and Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America.
INCREASING USE OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS
In 2022, an estimated 30 million people used amphetamines. Over the past decade, their use has become increasingly global. Wastewater data shows that consumption of amphetamine and methamphetamine has been rising in Western, Central, and Southeastern Europe. In contrast, East and Southeast Asia, traditionally high in methamphetamine use, show signs of stabilization and decrease.
The global number of “ecstasy” users was about 20 million in 2022. There is resurgence of its use in Western and Central Europe, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RISING RISKS AND HEALTH IMPACTS
Consumers face increasing risks from synthetic drugs due to their unknown pharmacology, lack of treatments, and dangerous drug mixtures in retail markets. This has led to a rise in overdoses, especially in North America, due to the growing mix of substances in the drug supply. Although harm from methamphetamine use is increasing in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, the highest levels of harm remain associated with opioids, particularly synthetic opioids.
Tramadol, a synthetic opioid used non-medically mainly in Africa and the Near and Middle East, continues to pose significant health risks, leading to acute toxicity and fatal overdoses. In North America, the opioid overdose crisis, particularly from potent illicitly manufactured fentanyls, results in unprecedented overdose deaths. In 2022, Canada reported 7,500 opioid deaths, almost three times more than in 2016. In the United States, opioid deaths increased slightly to just under 82,000 in 2022, a 24-fold increase since 2010. Preliminary data for 2023 points to stabilization at just over 81,000 opioid deaths.
METHAMPHETAMINE AND SYNTHETIC OPIOID OVERDOSES
Overdose deaths from methamphetamine in North America have also increased, although most of these deaths involve synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyls.
SYNTHETIC DRUGS AND HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS
The use of synthetic drugs in sexual contexts, among men who have sex with men and heterosexual partners, is linked with high-risk sexual behaviours. This includes unprotected sex with multiple partners, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and viral hepatitis. The shorter duration of the rush and pleasurable effects of some synthetic drugs often necessitates frequent intake or injecting, raising concerns about unsafe injecting practices and the risks of contamination with blood borne diseases.
The flexible and scalable production of synthetic drugs has led to their global spread, posing significant health risks. The increasing use of amphetamines and ecstasy, rising overdose deaths from opioids and methamphetamines, and high-risk behaviours associated with synthetic drug use highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the production, distribution, and consumption of synthetic drugs worldwide.
