New Report Reveals Shocking Number Of Drug-Related Executions Worldwide

Global drug executions skyrocketed in 2022, more than doubling compared to the previous year after a brief slowdown due to COVID-19.

As reported by Filter, a relatively small number of countries are responsible for the surge, while the silence of other governments and international organizations only perpetuates the practice, according to a new report by Harm Reduction International (HRI).

Today we launch our latest research on the #deathpenalty for drug offences at #CND66
285+ people were executed for drug offences in 2022 (30% of all executions)https://t.co/pI3ddz8VSZ pic.twitter.com/DDbhBQPrSj

— Harm Reduction International (@HRInews) March 16, 2023

About The Report

HRI has been tracking drug executions worldwide since 2007, with 2015 being the worst year on record with 755 people put to death for a drug conviction. Although the numbers dropped below 100 in 2018, they've shot up again in recent years.

"This report, our twelfth on the subject, continues our work of providing regular updates on legislative, policy, and practical developments related to the use of capital punishment for drug offenses, a practice which is a clear violation of international standards."

In 2021, there was progress in reducing executions in some countries, but in 2022 there was a sharp increase in such executions, especially in Iran.

Asia's drug war executioners: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Singapore, China, North Korea and Vietnam keep death sentence numbers secret. Drug death sentences spiked to 303 in 18 countries, with the US among 35 that flout international law, per Marijuana Moment.

Civil society and victims' families protested against this trend, but institutional actors and fellow states largely failed to respond adequately, per the report.

From Death Penalty To Cannabis: A New Solution For Drug Convictions?

The use of capital punishment for drug offenses is impeding global abolition, despite the adoption of a new UN General Assembly Resolution for a moratorium on the death penalty. According to the report, the situation highlights the need for governments and intergovernmental actors to pursue new strategies to promote respect for international standards regarding the death penalty.

Meanwhile, researchers are exploring the potential of cannabidiol (CBD), a component of marijuana, as an alternative to naloxone - a rapid-acting opioid antidote that is less effective against strong synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. CBD-based compounds have been found to reduce fentanyl binding and enhance the effectiveness of naloxone.

Though Donald Trump once called for the death penalty for fentanyl dealers, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) said the out-of-control fentanyl and deadly problem could be controlled by seizing illegal cannabis operators.

Photo: Courtesy Of Volodymyr Hryshchenko On Unsplash