A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report highlights the devastating impact of substance use on global health, with 2.6 million deaths attributed to alcohol consumption and 0.6 million to psychoactive drug use in 2019. The report emphasizes the urgent need for accelerated actions to reduce substance use and improve access to treatment, particularly among men and young people.
The report notes that despite some progress, alcohol-related deaths remain unacceptably high, with the European and African regions being the most affected. Alcohol consumption is linked to various health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and communicable diseases like HIV and TB.
The report also highlights a significant treatment gap, with low treatment coverage and inadequate resources for substance use disorders. To address this, the WHO recommends intensified actions in eight strategic areas, including awareness campaigns, strengthening health systems, and scaling up training and resources.
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasizes the need for bold actions to reduce the negative health and social consequences of substance use and make treatment accessible and affordable. The report serves as a call to action for governments, partners, and individuals to work together towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal target 3.5 by 2030.
WHO/ Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
