UNODC warns of rising global drug use driven by new potent synthetic drugs

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) issued a warning about a global increase in drug use, particularly highlighting a concerning rise in new, potent, and dangerous synthetic drugs. The 2026 World Drug Report estimates that 331 million people used drugs in 2024, an increase from 5.2 percent in 2014 to 6.2 percent of the global population aged 15-64. The report notes an 'unprecedented spike' in new drug types, with producers constantly developing new synthetics to evade regulations and detection.