Global drug use continues to increase, driven by rising prevalence of use and population growth.An estimated 331 million people used a drug in the past 12 months in 2024, a 34 per cent increase since 2014 (with prevalence of use increasing by 20 per cent).Men account for the majority of users (249…
Cannabis remains the most widely used drug globally, with large differences across substances and regions.With an estimated 256 million users in 2024, cannabis remains by far the most used drug worldwide, followed by the non-medical use of opioids at 63 million.Men have a higher prevalence of drug…
Global illicit opium production remained more than 70 per cent below 2022 levels in 2025Global illicit opium production remained at lower levels in 2025 at 2,100 tons, more than 70 per cent below 2022 (mainly due to Afghanistan’s opium ban) and almost 80 per cent below its 2017 peak.A doubling of…
ATS seizures and dismantled laboratoriesSeizures of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) continue to grow globally, dominated by methamphetamine.Quantities of ATS seized have increased more than for any other drug category, reaching a record 604 tons in 2024; methamphetamine dominates both seizures…
The global NPS market continues to evolve rapidly, with new substances entering the market and shifting preferences.By 2025, the total number of NPS identified by Member States since 2005 grew close to 1,500 which – despite the scheduling of new substances in 2025 – is more than four times the…
Cannabis continues to be the most widespread drug cultivated worldwide across all regions, cultivated in at least 155 countries (covering some 96 per cent of the global population). Opium poppy cultivation and the cultivation of the coca bush are far less widespread. Illicit opium…
In the last decade, the illicit market of ketamine has expanded outside of East and South-East Asia where it was previously concentrated.In mid to late 2010s, several countries with time-series data (for example, the United Kingdom, Australia, or the general population of the United States) have…
Countries differ in how they legislate to regulate or control drug use, though criminalization is common for key activities.About 38 per cent of reporting countries classify personal drug use as a criminal offence, with this approach most common in Africa and Asia. By contrast, related activities…
Cannabis use remains widespread globally, with steady long-term growth.Prevalence of past-year cannabis use is highest in North America, Australia and New Zealand, and West and Central Africa, while North America and South Asia have the highest number of people who use cannabis.Cannabis use has…
Cocaine use and related harms have increased globally over the past two decades, despite recent disruptions.Approximately 25 million people worldwide are estimated to have used cocaine in 2024 (or 0.47 per cent of the population aged 15-64), with lower estimated use among women (0.24 per cent) than…
Global methamphetamine seizures reached another record high in 2024, with the highest growth rates reported by so-called emerging markets.East and South-East Asia and North America continue to account for the largest methamphetamine seizures globally, although seizures declined in North America…
Methamphetamine-related harms show mixed trends across North America.In Mexico, methamphetamine harms have increased in recent years, reflected in a growing number of people entering drug-related treatment for the substance – though recent data suggest possible signs of stabilization.In contrast,…
