By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In 2023, the global cocaine market experienced unprecedented growth, with production, seizures, and user numbers reaching record highs. Production surged to 3,708 tonnes, fueled primarily by increased coca cultivation in Colombia, while seizures hit 2,275 tonnes. Cocaine use also expanded to 25 million users, reflecting a growing trend among affluent populations and contributing to a “vicious cycle” of production and consumption. The report also noted the rise of cocaine trafficking in new markets across Asia and Africa, as well as record seizures of amphetamine-type stimulants.
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Cocaine use and production hitting record highs, it’s a pretty stark reality we’re facing. The numbers are staggering; some reports suggest a quadrupling of use compared to a decade ago. It’s a bit like a runaway train, and it’s hard not to see the consequences all around us. It seems the “war on drugs” is having a rather ironic outcome.
Inflation, it’s a beast, isn’t it? It’s wild to think that while everything else has gotten so much more expensive, the price of a gram of cocaine has, in some places, stayed pretty consistent. This normalization of cocaine use, when the cost of other leisure activities has skyrocketed, creates a dangerous scenario. It’s almost as if the drug has become more accessible by virtue of everything else being expensive. It’s a rich man’s drug in the sense that it’s been always available to wealthy people.
The normalization of cocaine in social settings in places like New York City is also concerning. This prevalence is happening while the drug’s effects can be incredibly destructive, and can ruin lives. You hear it time and time again, and witness it first hand. There’s a dark side to it that gets glossed over sometimes, but the risks are very real and very serious.
The sheer danger of cocaine, in its current state, is magnified by the possibility of being laced with fentanyl. Then there’s the reality that the purity of street cocaine has shot up, increasing the risk of overdose exponentially. It’s a scary thought, and it makes you wonder how so many people can still take the risk. Alcohol and tobacco use may be decreasing, but it’s no consolation if cocaine is the new vice.
The social aspect is something else. It’s almost a status symbol, sadly. The idea of buying a bag, even if it’s cut with who-knows-what, is becoming a thing. It’s like the 80s are back, only now it’s accompanied by a whole new level of danger. It’s a reminder of the saying “what goes up, must come down,” and when it comes to drug use, the fall can be brutal.
It’s not just the individual user that suffers, but the families and the people who surround that individual. The damage is far reaching. The fact that cocaine is now the leading cause of overdose deaths in some areas is a statistic that demands our attention.
The drug market is a constant. It’s a part of our modern society, and one that’s a real struggle to try and combat. There are people who have always found a way to get their hands on cocaine, and who are going to continue to do so. However, the current market sees an increase in supply and a corresponding increase in demand.
There are those in their 30s, having a hard time seeing an end to their current status quo. The fact that they do not see the price of cocaine increasing, may be a sign of the times. However, in the same turn, it can mean an increase in risk.
The prevalence of casual cocaine use among middle-upper class people is a little shocking. But it’s there, and it’s a reflection of the times. The younger generations seem to be much more open to it, or at least more willing to try it. Maybe it’s a generational shift.
The war on drugs has been a long and costly battle, with a very clear loser: the users and those affected by their addiction. It’s a complex problem with deep roots, and there are no easy answers. Perhaps a renewed focus on mental health resources, and education about the dangers of drug use is an area to start with.