The world's drug issue continues to be an important concern that threatens to worsen COVID-19 pandemic consequences and impede a healthy and inclusive healing process, the UN Secretary-General said ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

In a statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that believing science is the "hero and lesson of the pandemic," but the same evidence-based response is critical for medication solutions.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) World Drug Report, drug-related deaths have significantly doubled in the last decade.

Although international collaboration has helped curb the spread of new psychoactive drugs, the UN head cautioned that the issue is migrating to poorer areas with weaker regulatory systems.

Meanwhile, black market drug sales are increasing, and non-medical usage of medicines, especially opioids, is increasing.

"Drug trafficking and organized crime both produce and sustain cycles of bloodshed and strife. Armed organizations and terrorist profit from the illegal drug trade, and the economic repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic has made millions increasingly susceptible to drug criminality and unlawful crop production "Guterres emphasized.

According to the Secretary-General, investments in balanced prevention and management of drug use and abnormalities yield excellent returns like lives saved, healthier populations, increased labor engagement and productivity, and lower criminal justice expenditures.

"Most of those risk variables linked with crime and aggressive behavior are also causes of drug use," he said, adding that "targeted initiatives concentrating on such overlapping dynamics, such as childhood maltreatment and a low social support, might assist to enhance prevention."

Public-private partnerships — with technology firms, postal and courier service providers, and shipping companies — are an important frontline response in the new fight against drug traffickers, who "are increasingly misusing the legal cargo trade and postal services to transit their illegal goods," according to Guterres, who also emphasizes that better information helps identify trends and enable real-time monitoring.

The Secretary-General urged Member States to heed to research and act, leveraging on agreed-upon international frameworks and leveraging UN assistance for health and justice efforts.

He also emphasized the importance of increased collaboration and support to assist low-income nations in reaping the benefits of cutting-edge anti-drug enforcement tactics.

Ghada Waly, the head of UNODC, supported the UN Secretary-appeal General for leveraging trustworthy, scientific knowledge and community power in impacting health choices and combating the global drug crisis.

"Drugs are ruining lives and robbing futures, with drug usage solely killing almost 500,000 people in 2019. Such atrocities can be avoided if people are conscious of the risks and have accessibility to evidence-based therapy and care ", she explained.

The subject of this year's International Day, according to Waly, is "Share Drug Facts." Save people's life. "It emphasizes the requirement for evidence-based methods to offer the public, and health and service suppliers and decision-makers, with resources to guide decisions and effective services," she said.

The campaign presents significant facts and data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's annual World Drug Report. Thus, offering facts and clear solutions to today's world drug crisis to achieve a scientifically-based vision of health for all.

Waly encouraged governments to develop evidence-based prevention and treatment programs, and checking and early warning systems, to assist low-income nations in recognizing and combating emerging drugs and usage patterns.