What human trafficking is
Human trafficking occurs when someone compels another person to provide labour or commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. It can involve recruitment, harbouring, transportation, provision, or obtaining a person—but physical movement is not required.
What the numbers mean
- 49.6 million: the 2021 global estimate for modern slavery, including 27.6 million people in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriage.
- 25%: the increase in victims detected globally in 2022 compared with 2019, according to the UNODC 2024 report.
- 38%: the share of detected trafficking victims who were children in 2022.
- 301 cases: identified by the National Human Trafficking Hotline in North Carolina in 2024, involving 580 potential victims. Hotline data represent contacts and identified situations, not the full prevalence of trafficking.
Possible indicators
No single sign proves trafficking. Look for patterns, listen without judgment, and prioritize safety.
- Someone else controls identification, money, phone access, transportation, or communication.
- The person appears coached, fearful, monitored, indebted, or unable to leave work or housing.
- Working or living conditions differ sharply from what was promised.
- A minor is involved in commercial sex or is exchanging sex for food, shelter, money, or other needs.
If you are concerned
If anyone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. Otherwise, do not confront a suspected trafficker, attempt a rescue, or take action that could increase danger. Record only what you can observe safely and seek guidance from appropriate local law enforcement or victim-service professionals.
Contact Kadesh for education resources
Primary sources
- ILO, Walk Free and IOM — Global Estimates of Modern Slavery
- UNODC — Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024
- National Human Trafficking Hotline — North Carolina 2024 aggregate statistics
- DHS Blue Campaign — Indicators of human trafficking
Addiction recovery
Substance use disorders are treatable.
Addiction is not a moral failure or a lack of willpower. Substance use disorders are health conditions shaped by biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Effective recovery support can include medical care, counseling, medications, peer support, family support, stable housing, employment, faith community, and long-term follow-up.
What the latest data show
- 48.4 million: people age 12 or older in the United States had a substance use disorder in 2024—16.8 percent of that population.
- 52.6 million: people were classified by SAMHSA as needing substance-use treatment in 2024. Only 19.3 percent, or 10.2 million, received treatment.
- 23.5 million: adults who had ever perceived a drug or alcohol problem described themselves as in recovery or recovered in 2024—evidence that recovery is common and real.
- 79,384: drug-overdose deaths occurred in the United States in 2024. The age-adjusted rate fell 26.2 percent from 2023, meaningful progress that still leaves an enormous loss of life.
- 15.1 percent: of North Carolinians age 12 or older were estimated to have a past-year substance use disorder in the pooled 2021–2023 state reporting period.
- 400 million: people age 15 or older worldwide were living with alcohol use disorders in 2019, according to WHO; 209 million were living with alcohol dependence.
What responsible partner support looks like
- Qualified, licensed, and appropriately supervised services.
- Evidence-informed care that does not prohibit appropriate medications for opioid or alcohol use disorder.
- Trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered practice.
- Screening and referral for co-occurring mental-health and medical needs.
- Peer, family, housing, employment, and community supports that extend beyond an initial program stay.
- Clear safeguarding, financial accountability, participant grievance, privacy, and outcome-measurement practices.