Production of illegal drugs, namely Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), semi-synthetics (heroin and cocaine), and cannabis, is a significant factor in widespread environmental degradation.
Among other things, drug production requires huge amounts of electricity and water, pesticides and fertilizers to process cannabis and semi-synthetic drugs. Drug production poisons wildlife, seas, rivers, groundwater and soils when huge quantities of toxic waste are deposited illegally. Drug production is a major source of deforestation as traffickers burn down rainforests and national parks to plant drug crops. Despite global consequences, there is a lack of knowledge and of reliable data, which makes it difficult to pinpoint the extent of this damage.
