In 2012, by various estimates, 165 million to 315 million people ages 15–64 years worldwide used illicit drugs, including those in the following categories (UNODC 2013):
Cannabis products. Marijuana, hashish, and bhang are the most widely used drugs, with an estimated 181 million users (129 million to 230 million) constituting 3.9 percent of the global population ages 15–64 years.
Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATSs). The next most widely used illicit drugs are stimulants such as cocaine; methamphetamine; drugs with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties, such as MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine), or ecstasy; and novel psychoactive substances, with an estimated 34 million users worldwide (14 million to 53 million), including 17 million cocaine users (14 million to 21 million), and 20 million MDMA users (10 million to 29 million).
Illicit opioids. An estimated 17 million persons use heroin or opium; 32 million use any illicit opioid, including diverted pharmaceutical opioids, such as methadone or morphine (28 million to 36 million).
© 2016 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.