The World Drug Report presents a comprehensive annual overview of the latest developments in the world's illicit drug markets by focusing on the production, trafficking and consumption of the main types of illicit drugs, along with the related health consequences of those drugs.

Chapter 1 of the World Drug Report 2015 not only provides a global overview of the supply of and demand for opiates, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances, as well as their impact on health, but also provides a review of the scientific evidence on approaches to preventing drug use and addresses general principles for effective responses to treatment for drug use.

Chapter 2 examines how alternative development, within the broader context of the development agenda, is aimed at breaking the vicious cycle of illicit crop cultivation by providing farmers with alternative livelihoods.