The Covid-19 pandemic increases drug risks, young people underestimate the dangers of cannabis

In the past 24 years, the psychoactive potency of cannabis has quadrupled in parts of the world. Although there is evidence that cannabis use is associated with various health and other injuries, especially among long-term users, the proportion of adolescents who consider cannabis harmful has decreased by 40%. Most countries reported an increase in cannabis use during the Covid-19 pandemic. In a survey of health professionals in 77 countries, 42% asserted an increase in cannabis use. During the same period, the non-medical use of medical drugs containing cannabis also increased.

Rebound and change of drug market

The report shows that after the initial chaos at the beginning of the new crown pandemic, the drug market has quickly resumed operations; this emergency triggered or accelerated some of the original trafficking movements in the global drug market. These include: the increasing transportation of illicit drugs, the increasing frequency of land and water routes used for trafficking, the increased use of private jets for drug trafficking, and the surge in the use of non-contact methods to deliver drugs to end consumers.

The report also pointed out that the European cocaine supply chain is becoming diversified, pushing prices down and improving quality, so that the European cocaine market may expand further, which may expand the potential harm caused by this drug in the region.

The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

According to the report, the COVID-19 pandemic has given birth to a more flexible service delivery model, which has led to innovation and adjustment of drug prevention and treatment services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have introduced or expanded telemedicine services, which means that for drug users, medical staff can now provide consultation or preliminary assessments over the phone and use electronic systems to prescribe controlled substances