Drug-related deaths continue to rise globally, with indirect causes accounting for most harm.The total global number of deaths directly or indirectly attributable to drugs continued to increase in 2023, although population-adjusted rates have grown more slowly, suggesting that the growth was in…
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…
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…
While a decade ago most ketamine was trafficked across South and East and South-East Asia, such trafficking has diversified to other subregions including in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa.Ketamine seizures have increased over the last two decades and increased sharply between 2018 and 2022…
The illicit ketamine market has expanded beyond Asia, with rising use and emerging harms in new regions.Once concentrated in East and South-East Asia, several countries with time-series data (for example, the United Kingdom, Australia or the United States) have recorded an increase in the use of…
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…
Myanmar is now the world’s largest opium producer, followed by Afghanistan, Mexico and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.In Myanmar, opium production continues to be concentrated in the eastern parts of the country, notably in Shan State and in Kachin. This pattern has not changed over the last…
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…
