Wild Rise in Cocaine Production while Cannabis Consumption Nose-dives: UN Sounds Alarm
Rise in Cocaine Production Hits All-Time High According to United Nations
In a shocking revelation, the United Nations (UN) report unveils that cocaine has supplanted cannabis as the drug with the fastest-growing market worldwide. This surge in cocaine production and use leads to more drug-related deaths and heightened gang violence, according to the latest UN drug report. Fortunately, we witness a decline in cannabis consumption, notably in Europe.
World drug users soared to an astounding 316 million individuals, as per the UN's 2025 World Drug Report. Originally released in 2023, this data reflects the global situation for the latest available year. To put things into perspective, the experts estimated there were 292 million drug users in 2022. Due to the complexities of gathering data worldwide, it is challenging to pinpoint precise figures for each region.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna issued a stern warning, citing that criminal organizations are taking advantage of unstable circumstances in various regions to expand their operations.
In 2023, cannabis remained the most widely used drug globally, with 244 million users. It was followed by opioids (61 million), amphetamines (30.7 million), cocaine (25 million), and ecstasy (21 million).
Booming Cocaine Market
Over the past decade, the consumption of drugs, excluding alcohol and tobacco, has surged by a staggering 28%. This increase outpaces global population growth, as the UNODC chief, Ghada Waly, explained on the International Day against Drug Abuse. This surge in demand and supply fuels instability and intensifies it further, creating a vicious cycle.
Notably, the market for cocaine is expanding at the highest rate amongst all drugs, according to the annual report. In 2023, illegal cocaine production reached a record 3,708 tonnes, marking a 33% increase compared to the previous year. Concurrently, the number of cocaine users swelled from 17 million in 2013 to 25 million in 2023.
The Violent Underbelly of Cocaine
This cocaine boom has significant consequences. The UN experts warn of increased drug-related deaths and escalating violence among rival criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking. This trend is not only observable in North America but also in Western and Central Europe, where there is a noticeable increase in cocaine seizures compared to previous years.
Different regions find themselves grappling with the ramifications of this white stimulant. The UNODC reported an alarming increase in the murder rate in Ecuador and escalating gang violence in the Caribbean.
Drug-Related Deaths on the Rise
Preoccupied, the UN drug experts watch former and current war zones with concern. Syria continued to export and import the synthetic drug Captagon, while Ukraine has seen a significant increase in synthetic drug production and trade during the war.
According to the UN Office estimates, there were 64 million drug-dependent individuals in 2023 - an increase of 13% over ten years. Germany reported an alarming 2,227 drug-related deaths in 2023, double the number from ten years ago. The projected figure for 2024 is set to be released in early July.
Addressing the Issue of Drugs
In the face of these alarming statistics, new German drug commissioner, Hendrik Streeck, urged against dismissing drug addiction as a marginal issue. He emphasized the societal nature of the debate about drugs and addiction, advising against assessing the topic from the perspective of morality or the law but rather from a medical standpoint, especially with regard to vulnerable youth.
Regarding young consumers, the UNODC pointed to a positive trend in Europe: Although European teenagers aged 15 and 16 still used cannabis above the average rate, the frequency of consumption among young people has significantly decreased in recent years according to the most recent European study.
[1] ntv.de, jpe/dpa[2] UNODC. (2025). World Drug Report 2025. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr/2025/WDR_2025_books_web.pdf[3] UNODC. (2023). Global Drug Trends Bulletin 2023. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/documents/global-drug-policy/GDT_2023/GDT_2023.pdf
Despite the declining cannabis consumption, notably in Europe, the United Nations (UN) report reveals a worrying surge in cocaine production and use worldwide. This increase has led to more drug-related deaths and heightened gang violence, according to the latest UN drug report (employment policy, general-news, crime-and-justice).
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna has issued a warning about the increase in cocaine-related issues, particularly in regions experiencing instability where criminal organizations are taking advantage to expand their operations (employment policy, general-news, crime-and-justice).
