The economic price tag of drugs is endangering not only lives, but the economies of some countries, Mr. Arlacchi said.
Financial losses incurred from drug-related crimes also comprise a substantial part of the costs.
Less than 10 percent of the drug profits remain in the producer countries which are predominantly developing countries. Drug traffickers took in 43 percent of the profits as drugs pass through European industrialized countries, and drug dealers made the remaining 49 percent of profits in retail sales to Western European consumers. The report also examined how the drug trade damages the national economies of developing countries. Drug traffickers in producer countries generally invest their money in conspicuous luxury items such as yachts, villas, flashy cars and arms to support their trade. Aside from promoting corruption, drug profits are usually invested unproductively, often in real estate and construction which inflates prices, and in the entertainment industry.