This report examines how the rapid growth of synthetic drug markets is transforming the global drug landscape and challenging traditional approaches to drug control. Unlike plant-based drugs such as cocaine and heroin, synthetic drugs can...
This paper examines how heroin trafficking routes from Afghanistan into Europe have evolved following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. It explores the changing dynamics of the northern and southern trafficking routes, highlighting how...
The UNODC World Drug Report 2026 introduces a new interactive platform that allows users to explore the latest global, regional, and subregional trends in drug demand and supply through dynamic data visualisations, maps, graphs, and...
The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) continues to monitor illicit drug production and precursor chemicals across Europe to improve understanding of how drug markets are evolving. Production within the European Union is primarily focused...
UNODC has launched a new Security Document Examination module within the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs, developed in collaboration with the UNODC Laboratory and Scientific Services. The module aims to help law enforcement, border control...
The UNODC Early Warning Advisory highlights a continued global expansion of new psychoactive substances (NPS), with nearly 1,400 substances reported worldwide. In 2024 alone, a record number of substances were identified, including over 100...
The European Commission has introduced new controls on nine high-risk chemical precursors used in illicit drug production under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/314. Most of these substances are linked to synthetic cathinones, while one is...
The 2026 National Drug Control Strategy outlines a comprehensive roadmap to reduce illicit drug use and protect communities across the United States. It prioritizes stopping the flow of drugs and precursor chemicals at all borders through...
Scam centres are a fast-growing global organized crime threat, generating over $1 trillion in losses in 2024. They use technology and psychological manipulation to target victims worldwide, supported by global criminal...
BACKGROUND:
Nigeria is one of the countries in the world severely impacted by synthetic drug production and use, yet lacks fundamental understanding of the synthetic drug market, how many people use, and how much they use.
AIMS:
The aims...
BACKGROUND: Nigeria is one of the countries in the world severely impacted by synthetic drug production and use, yet lacks fundamental understanding of the synthetic drug market, how many people use, and how much they use. AIMS: The aims of...
Illicit drug markets operate through a complex, global chain—from production and trafficking to consumption and the profits that fuel organised crime. At every stage, these activities compromise the health and security of countries...
Since 2003, the Paris Pact Initiative (PPI) has grown into a key international coalition, now comprising 58 partner countries and 22 organisations, including UNODC. It provides a vital platform for consensus-building, linking high-level...
The global market for synthetic drugs has grown rapidly in recent years, with amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and new psychoactive substances (NPS) becoming a significant concern worldwide. ATS, which include amphetamine, methamphetamine...
Understanding drug markets in Europe requires monitoring both supply and demand. Traditionally, this has relied on data such as drug seizures, prices, purity and offences. However, because drug markets operate illicitly, gathering and...
The Paris Pact Initiative (PPI), launched in 2003, is one of the leading international coalitions tackling the illicit trafficking of opiates from Afghanistan. Bringing together 58 countries and 23 organisations, including UNODC, it serves...
In 2015, the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) expanded its reach with new Port Control Units (PCUs) across Asia and Europe, including in Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam, as well...
The rapid rise of synthetic drugs has become one of the world’s most pressing drug-related challenges. After cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are the most widely used drugs globally, now surpassing cocaine and heroin. Alongside...
The evaluation of Phase III of the Paris Pact Initiative (2010–2012), supported by UNODC’s Project GLO K31, examined how effectively this global partnership has addressed the trafficking and consumption of opiates, particularly those...
