New York, United States. The global trade in illicit drugs is expanding, with cocaine production and methamphetamine seizures reaching record levels, according to a United Nations report released on Friday. The report also warned of a rise in new drugs as reduced heroin supply creates space in the market.
Record cocaine output and rising methamphetamine activity
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said in its annual World Drug Report that cocaine production rose to about 4,100 metric tons of pure product in 2024, the latest year on record. That marked a four-fold increase over a decade.
The agency said methamphetamine seizures indicate production is increasing by 13% a year.
UNODC Executive Director Monica Juma said in a statement that the market has seen an unprecedented increase in new types of drugs, adding that some are more potent or dangerous than before.
Heroin supply declines after Afghanistan ban
The report said opium production in Afghanistan, long the dominant supplier, fell sharply in 2023 after the Taliban returned to power and imposed a ban. It said production has not recovered, contributing to a decline in the supply and use of heroin, which is derived from opium.
Synthetic opioids expand across regions
According to the report, 2024 saw a sharp increase in reports of new synthetic opioids, including fentanyls and more potent nitazenes. UNODC said these substances could be filling at least part of the gap left by lower heroin supply, particularly in Europe.
The agency said reports of new psychoactive substance synthetic opioids in early warning systems increased in 2023 and 2024 across most regions, most notably in Europe, Oceania and Africa, suggesting recent diversification by market actors.
It said North America, where fentanyl has largely replaced heroin, reported about a 10% increase in the number of identified new psychoactive substance synthetic opioids in 2024 from the previous year. The number rose by more than 80% in Europe and by 150% in Oceania.
Changing cocaine use patterns
The report said both supply and demand for cocaine continued to rise strongly. It also said patterns of cocaine consumption have changed, while purity has increased and prices have fallen.
UNODC said qualitative research conducted in 2024 showed cocaine use expanding into social settings beyond nightlife and becoming integrated into daily routines. It also reported an increase in crack cocaine use among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups and a shift from heroin use to crack cocaine use.
The report added that data on people receiving treatment for drug use strongly indicates an increase in crack cocaine use in Western and Central Europe beginning in 2015.
