Around 25 million people were using the drug worldwide in 2023, up from 17 million in 2013, a new report says
Global cocaine production surged to a new record in 2023, accompanied by soaring seizures, growing user numbers, and rising deaths, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said.
On Thursday, the UNODC released its annual report, warning that a “new era of global instability” is empowering organized crime and driving drug use to unprecedented levels.
The report found that cocaine has become the fastest-growing illicit drug market worldwide. Illegal production skyrocketed to an estimated 3,708 tons in 2023 – up nearly 34% from 2022 – driven largely by expanded coca cultivation and higher yields in Colombia.
Use of the drug climbed to an estimated 25 million people in 2023, up from 17 million in 2013. The highest consumption continues to be in North America, Western and Central Europe, and South America, with wastewater data showing sharp rises in European cities.
Cocaine seizures in Western and Central Europe surpassed those in North America for the fifth consecutive year. Globally, between 2019 and 2023, the amount of cocaine seized rose by 68%.
Drug consumption remains a major issue, with a total of 316 million people using illicit substances, excluding alcohol and tobacco, in 2023, according to the report. The figure accounts for 6% of the global population aged between 15 and 64, compared to 5.2% in 2013.
Drug use disorders have a major impact on global health, causing nearly half a million deaths annually and costing 28 million healthy years of life lost worldwide. Yet only one in 12 people with such disorders received any treatment in 2023, the report says.
Commenting on the findings, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly called for greater investment in prevention, cross-border cooperation, and judicial action to dismantle criminal networks.
Cocaine use causes a burst of euphoria and energy, but it is associated with serious health risks, including heart attacks, strokes, respiratory failure, and neurological damage. The drug is also highly addictive, often leading to cycles of binge use and severe withdrawal.
