UN highlights cocaine route via Africa
In a number of startling warnings, the UN drugs watchdog also said:
* the abuse of prescription drugs, such as painkillers and tranquillisers, would surpass the misuse of illegal drugs
* counterfeit medicines, potentially lethal for consumers, are flooding markets
* legal drugs were fuelling a global slimming craze
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) also said the drug control situation in Afghanistan was deteriorating, with record levels of opium production in the country.
This was posing significant dangers for Europe and elsewhere, with the drug market facing a glut of high-purity heroin.
In its 2007 annual report, the INCB highlighted the exploitation of a new cocaine supply route, through Africa, and the impact this was having on Europe.
Gardaí and Customs have recently expressed concern at the emergence of highly organised west African crime gangs involved in importing massive quantities of cocaine into Ireland.
“One particularly worrisome development in African is the large-scale trafficking in cocaine,” said the report.
The INCB, which polices UN drugs laws, said drug-trafficking networks were using west Africa as a transit area for smuggling South American cocaine.
“The trafficking in cocaine in Africa is fuelled by rising demand, and abuse of, cocaine in Europe. Both the number of couriers apprehended and the volume of bulk seizures in Africa have increased significantly.”
Gardaí and Customs confirmed that this route contributed to the massive increase in cocaine seizures in Ireland in the last two years.
Elsewhere, the INCB report said the abuse and trafficking of prescription drugs was “set to exceed” illicit drug abuse.
In the US, it said the use of such drugs, including pain killers, stimulants, sedatives and tranquillisers, exceeded the use of all illegal drugs, except cannabis.
The board warned of a flood of counterfeit medicines in many countries, much of it bought over the internet.
“It is important for consumers to realise that what they think is a cut-price medication bought on an unregulated market may however have potentially lethal effects,” the report said.
The abuse of anorectics — used to treat obesity — was fuelling a “slimming craze”, which, again, could have fatal consequences for consumer, according to the INCB.
The board said anorectics could be addictive and acute overdoses could lead to aggressive behaviour, hallucinations, coma and death.
The UN body said it was “seriously concerned” by the drug situation in Afghanistan, which it said was due in part to “widespread corruption”.
