Addiction is something that people ruin their lives after getting addicted to. There are many such intoxicants available all over the world, which are deadly and dangerous. Despite this loss, its use is increasing rapidly in the world. Recently, a report has come out regarding this, in which it has been found that the number of people using drugs has increased by 34 percent compared to the last decade.

UNODC’s World Drug Report 2026 is out. According to which, in the year 2024, about 331 million people worldwide used drugs, which means that about one in every 16 people had used some kind of drug in the last 12 months. Worryingly, the age of addicts is between 15 to 64 years.

Even after the ban, drugs are easily available

The biggest concern is that there are more types of drugs available on the market than ever before, and some of them are more powerful and dangerous than ever before. This figure not only tells the story of growing drug addiction, but also points to a major health and social challenge facing the world. The effects of increased use of drugs are not limited to the individual who uses them. This can affect family, work, mental and physical health as well as community safety.

Concerns about new synthetic drugs

According to the UNODC report, cannabis is the most widely used drug in the world. Apart from this, substances like opioids, amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy are also being used on a large scale. On the other hand gangs involved in illegal drug trade are reaching new markets with the help of new technology. Synthetic drugs, i.e. drugs made chemically, are also raising concerns as the potency and harm of some of them are difficult to predict.

5 major takeaways from the report-

• In the year 2024, 331 million people worldwide used drugs.
• The number of people using drugs has increased by 34 percent in a decade.
• Cannabis remained at the forefront with 256 million people using it.
• In the year 2024, the world production of cocaine reached a record level.
• An increasing number of new synthetic drugs have raised health concerns.

The number of ganja addicts is the highest

According to the UNODC report, different types of drugs are used in the world. Among these, cannabis is at the fore, known as an intoxicant related to bhang or ganja. In the year 2024, about 25.6 crore people used it. This is followed by opioids, with about 6.3 crore users. At the same time, 3.2 million people used amphetamine, 2.5 million people used cocaine, and 2.1 million people used ecstasy.

The types of new drugs have increased 5-fold in 25 years

According to the report, the number of types of drugs seized has increased almost five-fold in the last 25 years, with many new substances and combinations of drugs also emerging in the market. On the other hand, if we talk about the share of women among drug users, it was 32 percent in ecstasy type drugs.

Women accounted for 28 percent of amphetamine users, 25 percent of cocaine users, and 24 percent of marijuana users. At the same time, women accounted for about 14 percent of opium users.

Millions of people are facing problems related to drug use.

As for the year 2023, according to the report, nearly five lakh people will die due to drug use in that year, which is 29 percent more than a decade ago. At the same time, according to the report, in 2024, about 63 million people worldwide were struggling with problems related to drug use. It also includes diseases caused to people due to injection of drugs.

Statistically speaking, one in every 12 people was receiving treatment for drug related problems. Treatment conditions were worse among women, with only one in 23 women receiving treatment for drug-related problems compared to one in nine men. According to the report, in 2024, about 1.4 crore people will be taking drugs through injection. Of these, about 69 lakh people were infected with hepatitis C and 17 lakh people with HIV, while about 15 lakh people were affected by both these infections.

Record increase in cocaine production

The world has seen major changes in the cultivation and production of narcotics. In the year 2024, 3,85,100 hectares of land were cultivated under coca bushes used to make cocaine, which is 2% more than in 2023. At the same time, in 2025, about 1,13,800 hectares of opium were cultivated, which is 5% more than last year.

As for production, around 4,100 tons of pure cocaine will be produced worldwide in 2024, three times more than a decade ago. On the other hand, the global production of opium in 2025 was about 2,100 tons, of which an estimated 194 to 206 tons could be made into heroin.

755 new psychoactive substances have been discovered

According to the report, the number of new types of narcotic substances (NPS) being developed in the lab is increasing rapidly. In 2010, 162 such substances were identified, while in 2024, 755 new psychoactive substances were reported worldwide, most of which were synthetic, the highest number ever in a single year.

Of these, 118 objects appeared for the first time in 2024. Stimulants accounted for the largest share of these new drugs, however, declining from 40 percent in 2015 to 31 percent in 2024. At the same time, the share of synthetic opioids increased from 3 percent to 20 percent, indicating an increase in their presence during the same period.

How many drugs did the police seize?

In 2024, police worldwide seized 9,033 tons of marijuana and 2,439 tons of cocaine. At the same time, 1,082 tons of hashish, 487 tons of methamphetamine, and 51 tons of heroin were seized. This year, 59 lakh people have come in contact with the police for drug-related offences. Of these, 63 percent i.e. 37 lakh people were involved in drug possession or use, while 28 percent i.e. 16 lakh people were involved in smuggling cases. A total of 37 lakh people were prosecuted and 22 lakh were convicted.

Causes of drug addiction and can we avoid it?

Many social, personal, and psychological factors can be associated between drug addiction and crime. Starting addiction at a young age, easy access to drugs, mental stress, depression, experiencing childhood trauma, poverty and an environment of violence can increase a person’s risk of addiction and crime. On the contrary, factors like family support, self-confidence, safe environment, good education, employment and doctor’s help play an important role in protecting a person from these problems.

There is a deep connection between drugs and crime

The relationship between drugs and crime can be understood in three ways. First, the direct effect of intoxication can change a person’s behavior, which can increase the risk of fights, violence, and accidents. Second, the need for money to satisfy drug addiction may push a person to theft or other crimes. Third, gangs involved in the illegal drug trade can create an environment of coercion, fear, and violence. However, not everyone who uses drugs commits crimes. Family support, education, treatment and a safe environment can help reduce such risks.