The non-medical use of cannabis in Australia has remained broadly stable, while trends in New Zealand have levelled off after earlier growth.In Australia, cannabis use has remained relatively stable over the past 2 decades. However, between 2019 and 2022/23 cannabis use increased among women (…
Cannabis use in Europe stabilizes after long-term growth.Cannabis remains the most widely used drug in Europe, with an estimated 31 million users in 2024 (10 million women and 21 million men).In the majority of countries with available data, use has stabilized in recent years following long-term…
The synthetic drugs market in the Near and Middle East remains dynamic, following disruptions in the supply of “captagon”.The Near and Middle East accounted for 77 per cent of global “captagon” seizures in 2020–2024, with production mainly in the Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon and trafficking…
The use of amphetamines has distinct regional patterns; past-year use is generally higher among men (0.85 per cent) than women (0.34 per cent) globally.The largest markets for ATS, mainly methamphetamine, remain East and South-East Asia and North America. The highest past-year use of amphetamines…
Data show a persistent reliance on the 3,4-MDP-2-P chemical pathway, an increased importance of pre-precursors related to 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid among “ecstasy” precursors, and an ongoing concentration of “ecstasy” precursor seizures in Europe.Historically, 3,4-MDP-2-P, also known as…
“Ecstasy” seizures reached record levels in 2024, surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic highs.The quantity of “ecstasy” (MDMA) seized worldwide increased by 13 percent from 2023 to 2024, more than doubling compared with 2021 levels, following a pandemic-related decline.Increases were widespread in 2024…
Most “ecstasy” found in the global market continues to be produced in the subregion of Western and Central Europe.Data suggest that the bulk of the "ecstasy" is still being produced in Europe, with 82 per cent of reported countries of transit or departure of seized shipments around the world being…
“Ecstasy” use remains highest in high income countries and parts of Asia.Past-year use of "ecstasy" globally is estimated at 0.4 per cent among those aged 15-64. Use is higher among men (0.54 per cent) than women (0.26 per cent), but the difference is not as pronounced as for other drugs (for…
Australia and New Zealand have the highest global annual prevalence of use of "ecstasy", where it is mostly used in capsule and crystal form.In Australia, the use and availability of "ecstasy" declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but have started to increase again in 2023 (while not yet reaching…
“Ecstasy” use remains concentrated in Europe (mainly Western and Central Europe)Use is significantly higher in Western and Central Europe than in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, both in terms of prevalence (1.2 per cent vs. 0.4 per cent) and number of users (nearly 4 million versus less than 800,…
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…
Global methamphetamine seizures reached another record high in 2024, with the highest growth rates reported by 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 while…
