Recent statistics and trend analysis of illicit drug markets

In 2011, between 167 and 315 million people aged 15–64 were estimated to have used an illicit substance in the preceding year. This corresponds to between 3.6 and 6.9 per cent of the adult population. The prevalence of illicit drug use and the numbers of problem drug users — those with drug use disorders or dependence – have remained stable. Since 2009, the prevalence of cannabis, opioids, and opiates use has gone up, while the prevalence of use of cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants and “ecstasy”-group substances appears to have followed a declining trend between 2009 and 2011. Nevertheless, since 2008 there has been an overall 18 per cent increase in the estimated total number of people who had used an illicit substance in the preceding year, which to some extent reflects both an increase in the global population and a slight increase in the prevalence of illicit drug use. A series of maps are presented in Annex I showing the prevalence of drug use among the population aged 15-64 for cannabis, amphetamies, opioids, opiates, cocaine and ecstasy. In addition, a table is included providing estimates of the prevalence and total number of users for each drug type at the global, regional and subregional levels.

Related Subject(s): Drugs Crime and Terrorism