Which drug categories stayed most popular in 2024, UNODC says?

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Cannabis Remained the Most Popular Drug Globally in 2024, Followed by Opioids, Amphetamines, Cocaine, and Ecstasy

In 2024, cannabis continued to hold the position as the most widely used drug globally, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Following cannabis in popularity were opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy. These findings are part of the UNODC's 2026 World Drug Report, which also highlighted a concerning rise in the availability of potent new synthetic drugs.
Global Drug Use Trends in 2024

The UNODC estimates that 331 million people, representing 6.2 per cent of the global population aged 15–64, used drugs in 2024. This figure indicates an increase from 5.2 per cent in 2014. The report specifically notes that cannabis use has continued to grow, partly attributed to legalisation and decriminalisation efforts, with user numbers increasing by 40 per cent between 2014 and 2024.
Rise of Potent Synthetic Drugs

A significant concern highlighted by the UNODC is the emergence of new and highly potent synthetic drugs. Novel synthetic opioids, including fentanyls, nitazenes, and orphines, are increasingly available and are sought as substitutes for heroin. The agency reported an unprecedented spike in new drug types entering the market, with some exhibiting greater potency or danger than previous substances.
Evolving Drug Landscape and Market Shifts

Drug producers are reportedly developing new synthetic drugs to circumvent regulations and avoid detection, leading to a substantial increase in the variety of substances seized. Drug seizures in 2024 revealed five times more drug types compared to pre-2000 levels, with 755 new psychoactive substances (NPS) reported in circulation, 118 of which were identified for the first time in 2024. The report also notes a potential permanent shift in the global opioid market away from plant-based opiates towards synthetics, influenced by factors such as Afghanistan's 2022 ban on poppy cultivation.
Expanding Markets for Methamphetamine and Cocaine

The emergence of new markets for methamphetamine, primarily produced in Myanmar but also appearing in North America, Africa, and Asia, was also observed. Concurrently, cocaine output has more than quadrupled over the last decade, with traffickers expanding supplies to established markets in Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, while also targeting new markets in Africa and Asia.

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Which drug categories stayed most popular in 2024, UNODC says?

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