Drug Use Disorders Rising Across the Americas, PAHO Warns

Drug use disorders are becoming a serious and growing public health problem across the Americas, according to a new study by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The study found that drug use disorders are now among the top ten causes of death and disability in the region. In 2021, about 17.7 million people in the Americas were living with a drug use disorder. Nearly 78,000 deaths were directly linked to these conditions, a death rate four times higher than the global average.

PAHO says opioid use is the main driver of the crisis. More than 75 percent of all deaths linked to drug use disorders were caused by opioids, including powerful synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. Young adults, especially men, are the most affected, although deaths among women have also increased in recent years.

Disability caused by drug use disorders has also risen sharply. The study shows that disability-adjusted life years, a measure of years lost due to illness or early death, almost tripled between 2000 and 2021.

The situation varies across the region. In North America, opioid and amphetamine use has increased rapidly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, cannabis and cocaine are the main contributors to drug use disorders.

PAHO estimates that more than 145,000 deaths in the Americas in 2021 were linked to drug use through causes such as overdose, liver disease, cancer, and suicide. This places drug use alongside high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet, and tobacco as a leading risk to public health.

PAHO officials say the problem is preventable and treatable, but many countries lack enough services. The organization is calling on governments to expand prevention programs for young people, improve access to treatment and harm reduction services, and integrate substance use care into primary health care.

PAHO also urges better data collection and stronger monitoring systems, especially to track synthetic drugs and mixed drug use. Gender-sensitive approaches are also needed as the impact on women continues to grow.

Health experts say urgent action is needed to strengthen mental health and substance use services, warning that without coordinated efforts, drug-related deaths and disabilities will continue to rise across the Americas.