Two-thirds of global drug deaths now from opioids: UN drugs report

26 June 2019
Health
UNAMA/Eric Kanalstein

Opioids, which include both heroin and legal pain relievers, were responsible for around two-thirds of drug-related deaths in 2017, a new UN report revealed on Wednesday. The number for global opioid users contained within the World Drug Report, some 585,000 people, is more than double the previous estimate.

Wednesday's Daily Brief: migration tragedy in the Rio Grande, drugs report, Torture Victims Day

Peace in the Gulf ‘at a critical juncture’ says DiCarlo, urging continuation of Iran nuclear deal

‘Summon the spirit of San Francisco’, says General Assembly President on UN Charter anniversary

Tackle ‘tsunami of hatred’ across the world urges Guterres, to counter anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance

Vile act of torture prohibited ‘under all circumstances’, UN chief affirms on International Day to support victims

UN Women/Mariken Harbitz

New UN report on families in a changing world puts ‘women’s rights at their core’

Women

While women’s rights have advanced over the decades, gender inequalities and other fundamental human rights violations within families persist, according to a flagship study released on Tuesday, from the UN’s gender empowerment agency.

UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan

UN chief praises impact of Palestine refugee agency as ‘our common success’, at key pledging conference

Humanitarian Aid

The work of the UN body responsible for assisting Palestine refugees, UNRWA, which has allowed millions of children to receive an education that promotes UN values of human rights and tolerance, as well as democracy and conflict resolution, should be viewed “not only as our common responsibility, but as our common success”, said Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday.

Leonora Baumann / UN MINUJUSTH

Security Council approves ‘historic’ political Haiti mission, ending UN peacekeeping role in the country

Peace and Security

The Security Council on Monday approved a resolution to create a UN “Integrated Office” in Haiti, designed to support the country’s government in strengthening political stability and good governance. The Office, named BINUH, will replace the peacekeeping mission in Haiti on October 16, putting an end to 15 years of peacekeeping presence in the country.

 

UNMISS/Isaac Billy

Peace dividend palpable in South Sudan, but ‘grassroots’ are moving faster than elites, says Shearer

Peace and Security

The peace dividend from last year’s ceasefire in South Sudan is palpable, but political elites need to follow the example set by local communities on the ground if lasting progress is to be achieved, said the top UN official in the country on Tuesday.

UNICEF/Wikus De Wet

World faces ‘climate apartheid’ risk, 120 more million in poverty: UN expert

Climate Change

Climate change “threatens to undo the last 50 years” of development, global health and poverty reduction, a United Nations expert said on Tuesday, citing the risk of a new era of “climate apartheid” where the rich buy their way out of rising heat and hunger.

Headlines at a glance

FROM THE FIELD: Changing world, changing families

Tuesday’s Daily Brief: funding for Palestine refugees, families today, tech surveillance

Moratorium call on surveillance technology to end ‘free-for-all’ abuses: UN expert

Syria: Ease suffering, save lives, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator tells Security Council

Security Council urges ‘maximum restraint’ around Gulf region as Iran and United States trade diplomatic blows in New York

Statelessness for terrorists’ families, never an acceptable option, urges UN rights chief

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