Globally, barely one in 23 women struggling with substance or alcohol dependency manages to access rehabilitation services. This was brought to light by Elizabeth Sáenz Miranda, Program Officer for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The official described the situation for women as dramatic compared to men, highlighting not only the stark gap in access to therapy but also the distinct consumption patterns found within the female population.
Gender Gap and Biological Factors in Substance Use
During her keynote address delivered for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and based on data from the World Drug Report 2026, the specialist detailed that while there are significant records regarding the use of opiates, cocaine, and cannabis, a particularly high consumption of amphetamines has been identified among women.
Furthermore, the expert pointed out that women experience more severe health impacts from drug use due to distinct hormonal and biological factors, as well as elements closely tied to their life cycles.
Alarm Over Youth Trends and High-Risk Health Impacts
The report emphasizes two critical points regarding the global evolution of this crisis:
- Rising Trend: The prevalence of substance use continues to follow a worrying upward trajectory among adolescents and young people.
- Associated Mortality: Infectious pathologies, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C, persist as the leading cause of mortality directly linked to intravenous drug use.
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