Gentlemen, we have a problem on our hands – that is the phrase that perfectly described the situation faced by lawmakers and political figures around the world last October. Needless to say, dangerous drugs like heroin and fentanyl have been fanning the flames of opioid epidemics across the globe, from the Australian Outback to the Scottish Highlands. Overall, the world is struggling to stop the drugs. However, according to a recent report from the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), the problem is only getting worse because the United Nations’ aptly named “war on drugs” is failing. For the past 10 years, the UN has urged the world to reform policies on illegal narcotics, but they have been fighting a losing battle. Why is this happening? Let’s take a closer look at the problem with the United Nations’ “War on Drugs.”
Increase of Fatalities
According to the report from the IDPC, the United Nations will not have eliminated the illegal drug market by the time 2019 rolls around the corner. So why have officials eagerly made this claim? Taken into perspective, the “War on Drugs” has not impacted the global supply of illegal substances and has sliced a huge gash in human health, human rights, international security, and program development. Consider that, over the last ten years, deaths related to drug use have skyrocketed to 145%, while, in the United States alone, 71,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2017. Likewise, in the Philippines, crackdowns on illegal drugs instigated 27,000 extrajudicial killings, while 3,940 people were executed for the crime of drug offenses across the globe. Can you see why officials are concerned?
Call to Action…Again
Recently, the IDPC urged the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs to take a different approach in the narcotics policy following the March 2019 summit in Vienna, Austria. As Ann Fordham (Executive Director of IDPC) explained, this incident hammers the nail in the coffin for the fight against drugs, and she is greatly saddened by the overwhelming lack of effort. Interestingly, though, in response to the Opioid Crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump has planned to make drug trafficking a capital offense, meaning people charged with this crime are susceptible to the death penalty.
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
