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War on drugs

The war on drugs encompasses any government-led actions aimed at containing the illegal sale, distribution or use of illegal narcotic substances. The term was coined in the 1970s by then-US President Richard Nixon.

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News

April 27, 2024

Canada's British Columbia makes U-turn over hard drugs

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Men roll and smoke Kush inside a drug den at the Kington landfill site in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone declares war on synthetic drug 'kush'

Sierra Leone declares war on synthetic drug 'kush'

Kush, a highly addictive drug with devastating effects, has already killed hundreds of young people in the country.
SocietyApril 11, 202402:37 min
Young men roll and smoke Kush inside a drug den at the Kington landfill site in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone declares drug abuse 'national emergency'

Sierra Leone declares drug abuse 'national emergency'

Sierra Leone's president has outlined plans to combat the devastating polydrug kush that is popular with young people.
HealthApril 4, 2024
White powder, symbolizing cocaine, on a dark reflective surface, a pile of the powder, lines of it, and a rolled up bank note

Cocaine vaccine: Could it help drug addicts?

Cocaine vaccine: Could it help drug addicts?

Researchers in Brazil are developing a cocaine vaccine to stop users getting high and prevent addiction to the drug.
ScienceMarch 28, 2024
Frankreich I Bekämpfung Drogenkriminalität I XXL cleanup operation

France: Police launch first raids in drug crackdown

France: Police launch first raids in drug crackdown

French police have launched four major operations to combat drug dealing in major cities across the country.
CrimeMarch 25, 2024
Photos of people killed in the Philippines drug war displayed during a vigil

Under Marcos, the Philippines drug war drags on

Under Marcos, the Philippines drug war drags on

Drug-related killings under Marcos remain as high as they were during the final year in office of his predecessor.
CrimeMarch 21, 2024
Man slumps on street bench having apparently smoked synthetic drugs

Nitazenes: The opioids 500 times stronger than heroin

Nitazenes: The opioids 500 times stronger than heroin

Developed in the 1950s, drugs called nitazenes are causing street deaths in the US and the UK. What you need to know.
ScienceMarch 19, 2024
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Homeless drug addicts smoking crack cocaine

Crack and fentanyl abuse on the rise in Germany

Crack is spreading rapidly in Germany, as are synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Both are cheap drugs — and can be deadly.
SocietyMarch 17, 2024
A vehicle carrying suspects arrives at the high security court in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dutch crime boss goes down, but cocaine trade here to stay

The conviction of kingpin Ridouan Taghi ends a violent chapter in Dutch history, but organized crime still looms large.
CrimeFebruary 27, 2024
A Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agent prepares to destroy chemicals and laboratory equipment

Philippines: Duterte 'must face reckoning' for drug war

Philippines' justice secretary spent years in prison on what she calls fabricated charges linked to drug trafficking.
PoliticsFebruary 26, 202405:02 min
A closeup of a person smoking kush

Youth drug addiction in Liberia: Inside a Monrovia kush den

DW's The 77 Percent goes into kush dens in Liberia to talk with young drug users about life, addiction and the future.
SocietyJanuary 25, 202404:43 min
Silhouette of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during sunset in Istanbul

Turkey seeks to crack down on organized crime

Turkey has become a haven for international criminal gangs, according to experts. But for how much longer?
PoliticsDecember 22, 2023
Captagon pills hidden among tea leaves

Captagon: German bust shows drug becoming common in Europe

The psychostimulant drug is a huge concern in the Middle East and Europe. What is it, and where does it come from?
HealthDecember 21, 2023