UNODC Research Brief on COVID-19 and Drug Market
The COVID-19 pandemic is taking its toll on the global economy, public health and people’s way of life. The virus has now infected more than 3.5 million people, killed 250,000 and led Governments to take drastic measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019. Roughly half of the global population is living under mobility restrictions and numerous border crossings have been closed. Economic activity has declined drastically as many countries have opted for closure of non-essential businesses. Unemployment has skyrocketed in many countries, further reducing the demand for goods and services. As a result, the World Trade Organization expects world trade to fall by between 13 and 32 per cent in 2020, with potential recovery only in 2021 or 2022.
Based on the most recent data supplied by government authorities, open sources, including the media, and the network of UNODC field offices, this research brief describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug markets to the extent that is currently possible.