Men continue to make up the majority of people who use drugs, but gender differences vary by drug and region.

• In 2024, about three quarters of people who used drugs in the past year were men, though the share of women varies substantially by region and drug type. For example, only 8 per cent of cannabis users in Asia are women, while women account for 45 per cent of cannabis users in North America. Looking at differences by drug type, women represent only 14 per cent of people who use opiates and as much as 32 per cent of those using ecstasy.
• Women are found in clearly smaller percentages in drug-related treatment compared with their share among past-year users for amphetamines and, to a lesser extent, cannabis. The difference is less pronounced for cocaine and virtually non-existent in the case of opiates.