Drug use increased significantly during the pandemic as many people sought ways to deal with the anxiety caused by the illness. Many individuals used prescriptive sedatives, new synthetic opioids, and designer benzodiazepines sold online. They used these products as they were the most available during the lockdown.
This issue started in 2020 as governments imposed strict restrictions to face the health threat. These restrictions influenced regular drug abuse patterns worldwide. Temporary border closure impacted illicit drug shipping routes leading to a scarcity of common street drugs. Additionally, many governments closed recreational settings where stimulant drug users regularly take drugs.