Vienna: Drug traffickers are exploiting technologies and global instability to introduce novel drugs, experiment with different trade routes and methods, and aggressively push into new markets, said the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its World Drug Report 2026 released today.
According to Emirates News Agency, UNODC Executive Director Monica Juma highlighted a concerning surge in new drug types that pose significant risks. 'We have seen an unprecedented spike in new types of drugs on the market, and worryingly, some are more potent or dangerous than before,' Juma stated. The report underscores the severe consequences of this trend, including millions of premature deaths, economic distortions due to drug trafficking networks, and the exacerbation of insecurity and violence. Juma emphasized the urgent need to enhance deterrence efforts, intelligence-sharing, and coordinated operations, alongside increased investment in prevention and treatment.
The report indicates a notable rise in global drug use, with an estimated 331 million people using drugs in 2024, representing 6.2% of the global population aged 15 to 64, compared to 5.2% in 2014. Cannabis remains the most widely used drug, with 256 million users in 2024, followed by opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy.
Illicit drug manufacturers are continually creating new synthetic drugs to evade regulations and detection, with drug types in seizures increasing fivefold since before 2000. In 2024, 755 new psychoactive substances (NPS) were reported, with 118 appearing for the first time. The rise of novel synthetic opioids, such as fentanyls, nitazenes, and orphines, indicates traffickers are seeking alternatives to heroin, signaling a potential permanent shift in the global opioid market. This shift could impact drug use patterns and related harms significantly.
