UNODC 2025 Drug Report: Global instability driving record drug use and empowering criminal networks

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has warned that rising global instability is exacerbating the world drug problem, fueling organized crime, and pushing drug use to unprecedented levels.

This warning comes in the 2025 edition of the World Drug Report, launched on Thursday.

UNODC Executive Director, Ghada Waly, said drug trafficking networks are exploiting ongoing global crises to expand their operations, particularly by targeting vulnerable populations.

“This report underscores the need for urgent investment in prevention strategies and root-cause interventions throughout the illicit drug supply chain,” Waly stated.

“We must leverage technology, strengthen international cooperation, provide sustainable alternatives, and enforce justice against the key drivers of these criminal enterprises. A united and comprehensive approach can dismantle these networks, bolster security, and protect communities.”

Key Global Findings

• In 2023, an estimated 316 million people aged 15–64 used drugs—6% of the global population, up from 5.2% in 2013.
• Cannabis remained the most used drug with 244 million users, followed by opioids (61 million), amphetamines (30.7 million), cocaine (25 million), and ecstasy (21 million).
• Cocaine production surged to an all-time high of 3,708 tons, a 34% increase from 2022. Seizures also broke records, with 2,275 tons confiscated globally.
• Cocaine use jumped from 17 million users in 2013 to 25 million in 2023, with trafficking spreading rapidly across Asia and Africa.
• The misuse of pharmaceutical opioids, especially tramadol, has reached crisis levels, with Africa accounting for the majority of global tramadol seizures.

The report notes that the synthetic drug market, driven by amphetamine-type stimulants like methamphetamine and captagon, is expanding rapidly due to low production costs and reduced risks of detection. Synthetic drug seizures in 2023 accounted for nearly half of all global synthetic drug interceptions, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl also contributing significantly.

Nigeria’s Drug Crisis

Within Nigeria, the drug situation mirrors global trends but on a more alarming scale:

• The national drug use prevalence stands at 14.4%, nearly three times the global average.
• Over 3 million Nigerians are living with drug use disorders, with cannabis as the most commonly used substance.
• Alarmingly, 1 in 3 Nigerian users report needing treatment or counseling, highlighting a major shortfall in health services.
• Among people who inject drugs, the HIV prevalence rate is 9.2%, underscoring the health crisis linked to unsafe drug use.

Despite the growing need, access to evidence-based treatment remains extremely limited. In Africa, only 3.4% of people with drug use disorders receive any form of treatment.

UNODC Nigeria Country Representative, Cheikh Toure, emphasized the multidimensional threat posed by the drug crisis:
“This is far beyond a health issue — it is a development, security, and peacebuilding concern,” he said.

Recommendations and Insights

The report calls for:

• Integration of drug treatment into existing healthcare systems, supported by trained professionals and adequate resources.
• Mapping and monitoring of organized crime groups, including their networks and enablers, to reveal weak points and potential areas for disruption.
• Investment in advanced law enforcement tools and training to match the evolving techniques of criminal groups.
• Gender-sensitive approaches, as global data shows women with drug use disorders are far less likely to access treatment — 5.5% compared to 13.6% of men.

The report estimates that the global illicit drug economy generates hundreds of billions of dollars annually, with criminal organizations constantly innovating—chemically modifying drugs, using encryption, and expanding distribution via the dark web.

In conclusion, the UNODC calls for urgent, evidence-based, and globally coordinated action to tackle the root causes of drug abuse and trafficking, support recovery, and curb the influence of transnational criminal networks.