316 million people used a drug (excluding alcohol and tobacco) in 2023, or six per cent of the population aged between 15 and 64, compared to 5.2 per cent of the population in 2013. With 244 million users, cannabis remains the most widely used drug, followed by opioids (61 million), amphetamines (30.7 million), cocaine (25 million) and “ecstasy” (21 million). New groups of vulnerable people fleeing hardship, instability and conflict could cause these numbers to increase further, the report warns.

The report includes special chapters on drug trafficking and organized crime; the impact of drug use on the health of people who use drugs, their families, communities, and society; and the impact of drugs on the environment in Europe.