ISLAMABAD: The Internet has become an attractive alternative for drug trafficking and a secure mechanism for the transportation of substances for illicit drug markets, according to the World Drug Report 2022, which was released on Wednesday.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released a report in Islamabad stating that despite these advantages, the Internet has not yet significantly altered drug supply chains, and online platforms represent only a small percentage of the worldwide drug market.

Increased interconnectedness and the ongoing growth of online platforms have provided both drug traffickers and drug users with several benefits.

The marketing and sale of controlled drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) on the Internet can occur at various levels: on the open Internet, also known as the “clear web,” frequently utilizing encrypted communications tools; on social media applications; and on the “dark web,” which is part of the “deep web.” The paper says that drug users change between various platforms in response to perceived hazards and challenges with fast-emerging technologies.