The recent Taliban ban on opium production in Afghanistan, the world’s largest supplier of the drug, has raised concerns about an increase in synthetic opioids and overdose deaths, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Opium production globally dropped by 74% last year due to the ban imposed by the Taliban in 2022.
Impact of the Ban
The UNODC warned that the ban could lead to a rise in synthetic opioids use, particularly nitazenes, which are highly potent and can result in fatal overdoses. Heroin users may turn to these dangerous substances, unknowingly putting their lives at risk.
Emergence of Nitazenes
Nitazenes have been identified as a growing concern in multiple countries, causing an increase in overdose deaths. The UNODC emphasized the dangers of users unknowingly consuming nitazenes disguised as heroin and the potential health risks associated with such substitution.
Global Drug Trends
The annual drug report also highlighted a surge in cocaine supply, reaching a record high in 2022. Overall, around 292 million people used illicit drugs, with 60 million using opioids, marking a notable increase over the past decade.