World drugs in graphics

Toije tipped us to this BBC news article on world drug use, presented in graphical form. So many statistics...

A UN agency has published a comprehensive report on the worldwide illicit drugs market, the World Drug Report 2009. The graphs and maps below show the extent of the problem and measures to tackle it.
Some argue that strict controls have created a thriving black market that breeds violence and corruption.
In the report's preface, UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa calls for greater investment in drug treatment and crime control. He says legalising drugs would be "an historic mistake" as a free market would spark a drug epidemic. "Societies should not have to choose between protecting public health or public security: they can and should do both."
Cannabis is still the most widely produced and used drug in the world. It is also a drug that is increasing in potency, according to the World Drugs Report. It says that in the last decade, the amount of THC (the main psychoactive substance in cannabis) found in plants from North America grown using the latest techniques has almost doubled.
The World Drugs Report shows consumption of both cannabis and cocaine, at least in the western world, remains steady or is in decline. In the last decade, cocaine use in the USA among 10th and 12th grade high school students fell by 40% and 30%.

» more at: news.bbc.co.uk

Posted By jamesk at 2009-07-23 23:54:41 permalink | comments

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guest : 2009-07-26 19:40:42

in botswana you can get a giant crate full of high quality pot for 35$.

no one has the balls to venture to africa to see how much pot they are smoking. and they definitely smoke a ton. although i havent been all over the country, ive heard thats how it is.

Adam. : 2009-07-25 16:13:29

Can I summarize myself? Antonio Maria Costa's job is literally to turn humanity against itself on a planet wide scale. Literally. Period. That's him. He does that.

Adam. : 2009-07-25 16:11:37

You know I expect this from America, but every country in the world? Half of everyone uses Cannabis. They say it's less... but come on. Anyone who's been a part of the culture for long knows how far it runs through the rest of our cultures, in almost any country in the world... just look at the map. The darker a country is, the more likely someone will admit to using Cannabis. I think everyone here knows the actual usage rate is innumerable.

But this bull**** comes from the UNODC now? HELLO?! Did someone kick Portugal out of the UN? Or does Antonio Maria Costa just not want to admit that the "Free Market" approach hasn't cause usage to go up there since it started in 2001?
I can get pulled over with a gram of meth, a gram of coke, a gram of heroin, and probably a lot more pot and I will get to keep it all after I am on my way. And I think a few people over at the UN can find Portugal on a map of Europe. ;)

I have to realize when I read this that the world is literally being run by people who see half of the world doing something differently together, and still try to rationalize this as "us vs. them." The UN is us, we are them, and it will never change. Mister UN won't be worth nearly as much money to them unless he keeps the whole PLANET entrenched in this madness.

Wondering Mind. : 2009-07-25 07:51:43

And Mexico is 4 to 9% uhhh anyone see something odd about that with all the drug cartel shootings and such?

"Some argue?". : 2009-07-24 19:32:18

How about "Some have noted"

Shocked. : 2009-07-24 18:35:24

The Netherlands and Portugal have lower marijuana usage than the USA, Canada, and the UK? But those 2 countries let everyone do whatever they want. Everyone there should be walking around stoned all the time. Shocked I am.

guest : 2009-07-24 13:05:50

this is bullshit

dreamdust. : 2009-07-24 02:40:51

"Societies should not have to choose between protecting public health or public security: they can and should do both."

That choice is a false dilemma. Societies never had to choose between one or another in the first place.

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World drugs in graphics

Posted By jamesk at 2009-07-23 23:54:41 permalink | comments

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