UN says 331 million people used drugs globally in 2024

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said about 331 million people worldwide used drugs in 2024, according to its World Drug Report 2026, released on Friday and based on 2024 data. The figure represents a 34 percent increase over the past decade and corresponds to 6.2 percent of the global population aged 15-64. Cannabis was the most widely used substance, with 256 million users, followed by opioids at 63 million, amphetamines at 32 million, cocaine at 25 million and ecstasy at 21 million. The report said global drug markets have expanded, with trafficking networks intensifying their operations and increasingly leveraging modern technologies. Production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, led by fentanyl and its derivatives, expanded rapidly in 2024, while cocaine production surpassed 4,000 tons in recent years, according to the report. It also estimated that around 63 million people suffer from drug use disorders, but only one in 12 who need treatment can access specialist services. The UN office called for stronger prevention and treatment policies and broader international cooperation to address the problem.