Tag: Drug Policy
-
Afghanistan Opium Cultivation Falls Sharply as Regional Trafficking Surges
Overview: a sharp drop in cultivation amid a broader drug landscape A new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows a significant contraction in opium cultivation within Afghanistan this year, with 10,200 hectares under cultivation, down from 12,800 hectares in 2024 and vastly lower than the country’s pre-ban peak of…
-
Afghanistan Opium Cultivation Drops Sharply, Yet Trafficking Rises: UNODC Findings
Overview: A Surprising Shift in Afghanistan’s Opium Landscape New data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicates a significant shift in Afghanistan’s drug economy. This year, opium cultivation covered 10,200 hectares, a decline from 12,800 hectares in 2024 and dramatically smaller than the pre-ban peak of approximately 232,000 hectares. While the…
-
Xylazine Crisis: The ‘Zombifying’ Drug Driving Overdoses and Severe Wounds in the US and UK
What is Xylazine and why is it spreading? Xylazine, a potent sedative originally developed for veterinary use, has surged onto the illicit drug scene in the US and the UK. Often nicknamed “tranq,” it is frequently mixed with fentanyl to intensify and prolong effects. This combination is not just a recipe for a stronger high;…
-
DNA May Hold Key to Cannabis Use and Addiction Risk
New evidence connects DNA to how we relate to cannabis In one of the largest genetic studies of its kind, researchers have found that certain genes linked to cannabis use also connect to a range of mental health, cognitive, and physical traits. The work, conducted by scientists at the University of California, San Diego, in…
-
Fiji’s HIV Spike Fueled by Bluetoothing, Chemsex and Needle Sharing
Overview: A Nation Confronting a Rapidly Expanding HIV Epidemic Fiji, a small South Pacific nation of under a million people, is grappling with one of the world’s fastest-growing HIV epidemics. From fewer than 500 people living with HIV in 2014 to about 5,900 by 2024, the country has seen an elevenfold increase in a decade.…
-
Tragic Incident in Treviolo: Man Dies After Swallowing Cocaine
Tragic Incident in Treviolo In a shocking turn of events, a 39-year-old man in Treviolo has died after swallowing cocaine in an attempt to evade police during a routine checkpoint. The incident illustrates the severe risks associated with drug use and the extreme measures individuals may take when confronted with law enforcement. The Events Leading…
-
A Military Approach to Drug Busts Upends US Efforts
Introduction The war on drugs has long been a contentious issue in the United States, with various strategies employed over the past decades. Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard, tasked with intercepting drug-running vessels in the Caribbean, has been at the forefront of these endeavors. However, a shift towards a military approach in drug enforcement raises…