IDPC Response to the 2015 UNODC World Drug Report

As per usual, the World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC or Office) for 2015 contains a great deal of useful data on the global drug situation. In keeping with a trend that has been apparent for some years, the tone is moderate and there is relatively little political content. This is especially valuable and important in the approach to the 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs. In addition, the Report acknowledges to a greater extent than ever before the depth, uncertainty and complexity of the ‘world drug problem’, as well as the ongoing provisionality of its own analyses. Moreover, it is impressively transparent regarding the construction of the data sets utilised in reporting and analysing its domain of inquiry. 

Within the following pages we aim to provide an overview of the data and topics presented in, as well as the key themes emerging from, the World Drug Report 2015. As is the norm, where appropriate we will offer critical analysis of and comment on all three, including a full discussion of thematic chapter two that this year focuses on alternative development.