ABSTRACT
Heroin and cocaine continue to be the illicit drugs that have the most socioeconomic impact worldwide, in terms of morbidity, mortality and treatment needs for illicit drug use, as well as in monetary terms. Illicit trafficking in cocaine and heroin accounts for the bulk of the global illicit drug trade in monetary terms. This chapter reviews the impact of illicit opium poppy, coca bush and cannabis cultivation, as well as trafficking in and abuse of heroin and cocaine and synthetic drugs on overall economic development since it is a crucial component of human development.
