Summary, Conclusions, and Policy Implications

Abstract

Website: www.unodc.org/wdr2017 3 As the World Drug Report 2017 clearly shows, there is much work to be done to confront the many harms inflicted by drugs, to health, development, peace and security, in all regions of the world. Globally, there are an estimated minimum of 190,000 — in most cases avoidable — premature deaths from drugs, the majority attributable to the use of opioids. The terrible impact of drug use on health can also be seen in related cases of HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis. Much more needs to be done to ensure affordable access to effective scientific evidence-based preven-tion, treatment and care for the people who desperately need them, including those in prison settings. As just one example, this year's report high-lights the need to accelerate accessibility to the treatment of hepatitis C, a disease whose negative health impact on people who use drugs is far greater than that of HIV/AIDS. Recent attention has focused on the threats posed by methamphetamine and new psychoactive sub-stances (NPS). However, as the report shows, the manufacture of both cocaine and opioids is increas-ing. These drugs remain serious concerns, and the opioid crisis shows little sign of stopping.