The Global Drug Abuse Crisis: A Converging Storm of Instability, Inequality, and Mental Health
In recent
years, drug abuse has escalated from a localized concern to a full-blown global
crisis. With an estimated 316 million people using drugs worldwide in 2023, 6% of the global
population—this epidemic touches every continent, community, and class. From
Nigeria’s urban centers to Latin America's trafficking routes and Asia's
synthetic drug labs, the map of substance abuse is expanding, and evolving.
This
article explores the key trends, driving forces, regional variations,
and the urgent need for coordinated action at all levels.
A Widening Global Problem
Global drug use has surged by more than 30% over the past decade, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Cannabis remains the most used drug, but sharp increases are seen in opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and synthetic substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine.