The World Drug Report 2020: Perspectives on markets, technology, and policy

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The World Drug Report 2020: Perspectives on markets, technology, and policy

25 February 2021
Global Drug Policy Observatory (GDPO)

THE WORLD DRUG REPORT 2020: PERSPECTIVES ON MARKETS, TECHNOLOGY, AND POLICY
IDPC response to the 2020 World Drug Report

UNODC’s 2020 World Drug Report provides a comprehensive and sophisticated analysis of the current state of global drug markets, as their size, complexity and intricacy continue to grow. However, the Report can be criticised for turning a blind eye on the negative consequences of states’ drug control efforts, and for overestimating the success of law enforcement approaches.

To explore these shortcomings, this year’s critique analyses the World Drug Report’s approach to the key topic of technological innovation in drug policy, through a close reading of its sections on cryptomarkets, and on the eradication of crops destined for the illegal drug market in Colombia.

In global drug policy debates, technological innovation is often framed as an instrument for disruption and as a cause of concern, if not alarm. That is certainly the approach adopted by the 2020 World Drug Report, which predominantly describes technological developments as a ‘challenge’ from the perspective of law enforcement. While there is some truth in this perspective, the reality is far more complicated with the use of technology by both state and non-state actors generating both positive and negative outcomes.

This year’s response to the UNODC World Drug Report was written by Dave Bewley-Taylor and Patrick Shortis, with contributions from Adria Cots Fernandez.

Previous reports in this series:

  • The World Drug Report 2019: Perspectives on protecting public health
  • IDPC response to the 2018 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2017 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2016 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2015 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2014 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2013 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2012 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2011 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2010 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2009 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2008 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2007 World Drug Report
  • IDPC response to the 2006 World Drug Report