Cocaine use in Australia and New Zealand
Cocaine use was “highest worldwide” in Australia and New Zealand. However, data suggests “most users… are occasional users”.
Ecstasy use was also “by far the highest worldwide” in Australia and New Zealand.
Cannabis use was “significantly higher than the global average”, with a “relatively high” use among high school students.
Federal Government comments
A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Health acknowledged the results of the global report, saying that ecstasy use in Australia and New Zealand hadn’t risen in recent years.
Multiple programs to curb substance abuse were also underway in Australia.
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The most-used drugs across the world in 2021:
Cannabis (219 million people)
Opioids (60 million)
Amphetamines (36 million)
Cocaine (22 million)
Ecstasy (20 million)
Global trends
The UN report found that synthetic drugs – which are artificially developed and cheaper and quicker to make – had “transformed” illicit drug markets across the world.
This included the sale of illegally-made fentanyl, an addictive synthetic drug. They have “drastically altered” the opioid market in. In 2021, most opioid-related deaths in North America involved illegally-made fentanyl.
Worldwide, young people were found to be most vulnerable to substance abuse. Also, health services were found to be struggling to keep up with drug-related demand.
