Greetings from CV Alliance!

In the spirit of thinking globally, acting locally, here’s the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2014, available at www.unodc.org.

Drug use prevalence is stable around the world. Around 243 million individuals, or 5% of the world’s population aged 15-64, used an illicit drug in 2012.  About 27 million, or one in every 200 people, are problem drug users, and 200,000 drug-related deaths occurred in 2012.

Opium. Afghanistan accounts for up to 80% of global opium production. It increased its area under cultivation 36%, and each crop yields approximately 5,500 tons. In 2013, the global production of heroin also rebounded to the high levels witnessed in 2008 and 2011. Users switch between heroin and pharmaceutical opioids, a trend largely dictated by low prices and accessibility. Unlike other nations, dependent opioid users in the U.S. are switching from pharmaceutical opioids to heroin instead of to synthetic opioids.

Cannabis. Globally, cannabis use seems to be down but a perception of lower health risks has led to more consumption in North America. Although it is too early to measure the effects of new regulatory frameworks making the recreational use of marijuana legal in some states and in Uruguay under certain conditions, more people are seeking treatment for cannabis-related disorders in most regions of the world, including North America.

Methamphetamine. Seizures more than doubled globally between 2010 and 2012. The manufacture of methamphetamine expanded once again in North America, with a large increase in the number of meth laboratories dismantled in the U.S. and Mexico.

The UNODC chief said sustainable success in drug control requires firm international commitment, a balanced and comprehensive approach addressing both supply and demand, and evidence-based responses focusing on prevention, treatment, social rehabilitation and integration.

CV Alliance is recruiting board members. Please send an email to either Jean Maluccio, governance chair, at cvcoc@aol.com or to me at suzy@cv-alliance.org if you’re interested in receiving information and an application.

In addition, you’re invited to help organize our Red Ribbon Week activities.  Ana-Marie Schaefer, amschaefer@ymcafoothills.org, chairs the first committee meeting on Monday, July 14 at 5 p.m. upstairs at First Baptist Church at La Crescenta, 4441 La Crescenta Ave. Follow the CV Alliance signs!

Suzy Jacobs, Executive Director,
CV Alliance
3131 Foothill Blvd. Suite D
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 646-7867  http://cv-alliance.org/