A new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed that drug usage globally surged to 316 million people in 2023—representing 6% of the world’s population aged between 15 and 64.
The 2025 edition of the World Drug Report, released on Thursday, highlighted that drug consumption continues to climb. Back in 2013, the figure stood at 5.2%, signaling a worrying trend in global substance use.
According to the data, cannabis remains the most widely used drug with 244 million users, followed by opioids (61 million), amphetamines (30.7 million), cocaine (25 million), and ecstasy (21 million).
UNODC’s Executive Director, Ghada Waly, emphasized the growing threat of drug trafficking networks:
“Organised groups are exploiting global instability and targeting vulnerable communities. We need to strengthen our defenses by investing in prevention, enhancing international cooperation, using technology, and disrupting key networks through legal action.”
The report also pointed out that the cocaine market is expanding faster than any other drug sector. Illegal cocaine production surged by over a third to reach a historic high of 3,708 tons in 2023. User numbers have also ballooned—growing from 17 million in 2013 to 25 million in 2023.
The ripple effects of this growth are becoming more visible, especially in Western and Central Europe, where more cocaine is now being seized than in North America. UN experts warn that this boom has triggered increased violence between rival smuggling cartels, along with a spike in drug-related fatalities.
As drug markets evolve and expand, the UN is urging global leaders to adopt more effective and targeted strategies to counter this escalating threat.
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