UN Says World Shifting to Synthetic Drugs
The United Nations reports that global drug use is changing. The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime says that in the developing world, more people are using cocaine and heroin; whereas in the developed world, there is a rise in the use of synthetic drugs. The body reports that worldwide use of traditional drugs has gone down, while at the same time there has been a huge rise in the use of stimulants and prescription drugs. The UN estimates the global number of users of synthetic drugs is between 30 and 40 million. Antonio Maria Costa, director of the U.N. drug office, told reporters: "People are saying goodbye to heroin and they are nearly not so much enchanted by cocaine, but they are starting to use prescription drugs in amounts which make them addictive."
The report highlights a worrying trend of increased drug use in developing countries, especially in Asia and Africa. Mr Costa said demand for cocaine and heroin was growing on these two continents and that many governments did not have the resources to help addicts. "As a result," he said, "there is now the risk of a public health disaster in developing countries that would enslave masses of humanity to the misery of drug dependence." Costa also expresses his concern over the popularity of synthetic drugs. He warns there are “unlimited amounts of them, produced in mafia labs at trivial costs”. Costa also noted that globalization made it easier for illegal drug manufacturers to operate. They can be made near to their target markets and the raw materials are easy to find.
WARM-UPS
1. ADDICTIONS: How dangerous are they? Complete this table.
| Dangers | How to stop addiction |
Drugs |
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Coffee |
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Shopping |
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TV |
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Cigarettes |
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Internet |
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Chocolate |
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2. KICK THE HABIT: Students A strongly believe drug addiction will one day be a thing of the past; Students B strongly believe the opposite.
3. DANGERS: How dangerous are these for society? Rank them.
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4. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
1. | global | a. | particularly |
2 | whereas | b. | enormous |
3. | huge | c. | delighted |
4. | estimates | d. | minor |
5. | enchanted | e. | guesses |
6. | trend | f. | unhappiness |
7. | especially | g. | worldwide |
8. | misery | h. | ingredients |
9. | trivial | i. | development |
10. | raw materials | j. | while |
5.DRUGS DISCUSSION
c) | Is there a big problem with drugs in your country? |
d) | Why do people take drugs? |
e) | Do you think drug addiction is becoming more or less of a problem? |
f) | What do you think are the reasons for the changes in global drug use? |
g) | How should children be educated about the dangers of drugs? |
h) | What can governments do to discourage people from taking drugs? |
i) | Should all drugs be banned, including nicotine, alcohol and caffeine? |
j) | Do you think people worry about the addictive nature of drugs before they use them? |
k) | What should the world do to help people in Asia and Africa say no to drugs? |
l) | What public health risks are there when many people are taking drugs? |
m) | Do you thing drug abuse will increase or decrease over the next few decades? |
n) | How do drugs destroy lives? |
o) | Do movies and songs glamorize drugs? |
p) | What solutions are there to stop the rise of synthetic drugs? |
q) | What drug awareness programmes are there in your country? |
r) | How would a world without illegal drugs be different? |
s) | What questions would you like to ask U.N. drugs chief Antonio Maria Costa? |
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