World drug reports 2006

The illicit drug trade touches millions of lives in both developed and developing countries, with its most negative impact concentrated among the more vulnerable and marginalized of our societies. Indeed, the United Nations estimates that 180 million people worldwide were consuming drugs in the late 1990s. Economic reliance on the drug trade and drug addiction not only leaves many individuals open to exploitation by criminals and criminal organizations, but also threatens lives, the rule of law, and ultimately, the vitality and strength of our communities. In this Report, the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention describes and explains the extent and development of this complex problem and the important progress that has been made in recent years. Illustrated with numerous maps, graphs, charts, and tables, it provides unique insight into the realities of the international drug problem and reveals the most complete picture of the extent of the problem.