By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly of the United Nations decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Drug abuse scenario in the world 316 million people used a drug (excluding alcohol and tobacco) in 2023, or six per cent of the population aged between 15 and 64, compared to 5.2 per cent of the population in 2013. New groups of vulnerable people fleeing hardship, instability and conflict could cause these numbers to increase further. With 244 million users, cannabis remains the most widely used drug, followed by opioids (61 million), amphetamines (30.7 million), cocaine (25 million) and “ecstasy” (21 million). Production, seizures, and use of cocaine all hit new highs in 2023, making cocaine the world’s fastest-growing illicit drug market. Illegal production skyrocketed to 3,708 tons, nearly 34 per cent more than in 2022. Global cocaine seizures reached a record high at 2,275– a 68 per cent rise over 2019-2023. Use of cocaine, meanwhile, has grown from 17 million users in 2013 to 25 million users in 2023. Due to factors like low operational costs and reduced risks of detection, the synthetic drug market continues to expand globally, dominated by Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) like methamphetamine and amphetamine (including “captagon”). Seizures of ATS reached a record high in 2023 and accounted for almost half of all global seizures of synthetic drugs, followed by synthetic opioids, including fentanyl. Though estimates vary, the illicit drug trade generates hundreds of billions of dollars per year. Criminal groups innovate constantly, through boosting production, finding new ways to chemically conceal their drugs, and using technology to conceal communications and increase distribution. The cost of failing to tackle drug use disorders is steep – nearly half a million deaths and 28 million healthy years of life lost due to disability and premature deaths (DALY) in 2021. Just one in 12 people with drug use disorders were estimated to have received any form of drug treatment in 2023. Factors such as policies and availability of evidence-based health and social services can help mitigate the health impact of drug use on people and communities. The World Drug Report and further content is available at https://wdr.unodc.org/ Theme for 2026 - World drug problem: persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses Global drug use and the number of drugs on the market have been increasing in the past decades. The century-long dominance of heroin in illicit global opioid markets is increasingly being challenged by changes in the illegal supply of opioids. Production, seizures and use of cocaine continue to rise, while low costs of manufacture and reduced risks of detection of synthetic drugs are contributing to their increase on illicit drug markets. Drug trafficking groups are seeking out technological innovation to target new audiences and ensure that drugs increasingly reach their users and help boost their billion-dollar businesses. Illicit drug markets have always been adapting, and organized crime has always been looking to exploit gaps in governance and regulation. In response to these challenges, this year’s campaign will showcase how the international community, local and national governments, civil society and the public is working together on innovative responses to reduce demand for and supply of illicit drugs and thus mitigate threats by: Launching new prevention efforts to reduce and address vulnerabilities in people, especially youth, and communities, lowering their risk of exploitation by criminal networks; Keeping ports, airports, sea routes and land borders along key trafficking routes safe; Collecting and analysing data to shape drug policies; Detecting and identifying drugs and the chemicals used in their illicit manufacture; Understanding the chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs, and handling and disposing of them safely; Supporting responses across the criminal justice system, from interception to investigation and prosecution; Creating opportunities for farmers to shift from illicit drug crop cultivation to sustainable licit livelihoods; Putting new substances under international control to respond to emerging drug threats. Source : UN Related resources World Drug Report