It is estimated that around 5.8 percent of the global population uses illicit drugs. Use of illicit drugs varies by country and region as countries enact their own laws regarding such substances. Access to illicit drugs also differs by country and region and culture plays a role in how acceptable drug use is.

Global drug use

Worldwide, cannabis is by far the most used illicit drug, followed by opioids and amphetamines. It is estimated that around 296 million people worldwide consume illegal drugs and 39.5 million could be considered addicts or problem drug users. Drug addiction and abuse can negatively impact relationships, increases the risk of a number of diseases, and can ultimately lead to death.

Opioid epidemic in the U.S.

The United States has a long and complicated history with illegal drugs, once going so far as to fight a “War on Drugs”. Today, the U.S. is experiencing what has been called an opioid epidemic. This has been characterized by an increase in overdose deaths from prescription opioids, heroin and, more recently, illegally manufactured synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. In 2021, there were 80,411 opioid overdose deaths in the United States.

In 2023, 373 new drug abusers in Singapore were of Chinese ethnicity. It is the largest ethnic group represented amongst new drug abusers in Singapore, followed by people of Malay ethnicity.

In 2023, approximately 1,488 drug abusers in Singapore were of Malay ethnicity. It is the largest ethnic group represented amongst drug abusers in Singapore, followed by those with a Chinese background.

This series measures the prevalence and correlates of drug use in the United States. The surveys are designed to provide quarterly, as well as annual, estimates. Information is provided on the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and nonmedical use of prescription drugs among members of United States households aged 12 and older. Questions include age at first use, as well as lifetime, annual, and past-month usage for the following drug classes: cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, alcohol, tobacco, nonmedical use of prescription drugs including psychotherapeutics, and polysubstance use. Respondents were also asked about their knowledge of drugs, perceptions of the risks involved, population movement, and sequencing of drug use. Fifty-seven percent of respondents were asked specific questions about their perceptions of the consequences of marijuana and alcohol use. The other 43 percent were asked about heroin use among friends. Demographic data include sex, race, age, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, job status, income level, and household composition. This study has 1 Data Set.

Marijuana is by far the most used illicit drug in the United States, with over 61 million people using this drug in 2023. The second most used drug at that time was cocaine, followed by methamphetamine and ecstasy. The United States has had a complicated history with drugs, from fighting a “War on Drugs” starting in the 1970s, to seeing the legalisation of marijuana in many states, and experiencing an ongoing nationwide opioid overdose epidemic. Recreational marijuana Although marijuana is still illegal under federal law, 21 states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. This legalization has opened a new and thriving market in these states. It is estimated that sales of legal cannabis will reach around 25 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2025. Although support for the legalization of marijuana has not always been strong, now around 68 percent of U.S. adults believe it should be made legal. The opioid epidemic The opioid epidemic describes a rise in overdose deaths in the U.S. due to prescription opioids, heroin, and illegally manufactured synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The epidemic stems from misleading information from pharmaceutical companies concerning the dangers of opioids such as oxycontin, overprescribing of opioids from physicians, and an influx of easily accessible heroin and highly potent synthetic opioids. In 2022, there were around 81,806 deaths from opioid overdose in the United States.

Abstract (en): The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) series (formerly titled National Household Survey on Drug Abuse) primarily measures the prevalence and correlates of drug use in the United States. The surveys are designed to provide quarterly, as well as annual, estimates. Information is provided on the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco among members of United States households aged 12 and older. Questions included age at first use as well as lifetime, annual, and past-month usage for the following drug classes: marijuana, cocaine (and crack), hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, alcohol, tobacco, and nonmedical use of prescription drugs, including pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives. The survey covered substance abuse treatment history and perceived need for treatment, and included questions from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders that allow diagnostic criteria to be applied. The survey included questions concerning treatment for both substance abuse and mental health related disorders. Respondents were also asked about personal and family income sources and amounts, health care access and coverage, illegal activities and arrest record, problems resulting from the use of drugs, and needle-sharing. Questions introduced in previous administrations were retained in the 2006 survey, including questions asked only of respondents aged 12 to 17. These "youth experiences" items covered a variety of topics, such as neighborhood environment, illegal activities, drug use by friends, social support, extracurricular activities, exposure to substance abuse prevention and education programs, and perceived adult attitudes toward drug use and activities such as school work. Several measures focused on prevention-related themes in this section. Also retained were questions on mental health and access to care, perceived risk of using drugs, perceived availability of drugs, driving and personal behavior, and cigar smoking. Questions on the tobacco brand used most often were introduced with the 1999 survey. Background information includes gender, race, age, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, job status, veteran status, and current household composition. Due to unequal selection probabilities at multiple stages of sample selection and various adjustments, such as those for nonresponse and poststratification, the 2006 NSDUH sample design is not self-weighting. Analysts are advised to use the final sample weight when attempting to use the 2006 NSDUH data to draw inferences about the target population or any subdomains of the target population. All estimates published in SAMHSA reports (such as the results from the 2006 NSDUH) are weighted using the final analysis weight for the full sample (ANALWT). For the public use file, the corresponding final sample weight is denoted as ANALWT_C, with the "C" denoting confidentiality protection. This sample weight represents the total number of target population persons each record on the file represents. Note that the sum of ANALWT_C, over all records on the data file, represents an estimate of the total number of people in the target population. ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection: Performed consistency checks.; Created online analysis version with question text.; Checked for undocumented or out-of-range codes.. Response Rates: Strategies for ensuring high rates of participation resulted in a weighted screening response rate of 90 percent and a weighted interview response rate for the CAI of 74 percent. (Note that these response rates reflect the original sample, not the subsampled data file referenced in this document.) The civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States aged 12 and older, including residents of noninstitutional group quarters such as college dormitories, group homes, shelters, rooming houses, and civilians dwelling on military installations. A multistage area probability sample for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia was used since 1999. The 2005 NSDUH is the first survey in a coordinated five-year sample design. Although there is no...

This data collection offers information on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of synthetic drug users, characteristics of synthetic drug use such as frequency and method of intake, and factors that prompt drug users to begin to use synthetic drugs or to switch from agricultural drugs to synthetic drugs. Synthetic drugs investigated in the collection include PCP, ice, ecstasy, and speed, while nonsynthetic drugs include alcohol, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and crack. Patterns of use for all of these drugs are explored. Questions about specific drugs include whether the respondent had ever used the drug, age first used, number of days in the past 30 days the drug was used, whether the drug was used more than two times per week, method of drug intake, and the drug used most often by the respondent and by the respondent's friends. Additional variables include reasons for preferring synthetic or nonsynthetic drugs, reasons the respondent would discontinue use or switch to another drug, availability and cost of certain drugs, and extent of involvement in selling, money handling, and protection. Finally, demographic variables such as sex, ethnicity, age, highest grade completed, employment activity in the past month, geographical location, and subject source (criminal justice system or drug treatment center) are included in the file. The unit of analysis is the individual drug user.

The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a nationally representative public health surveillance system that has monitored drug related emergency department (ED) visits to hospitals since the early 1970s. First administered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the responsibility for DAWN now rests with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ). Over the years, the exact survey methodology has been adjusted to improve the quality, reliability, and generalizability of the information produced by DAWN. The current approach was first fully implemented in the 2004 data collection year. DAWN relies on a longitudinal probability sample of hospitals located throughout the United States. To be eligible for selection into the DAWN sample, a hospital must be a non-Federal, short-stay, general surgical and medical hospital located in the United States, with at least one 24-hour ED. DAWN cases are identified by the systematic review of ED medical records in participating hospitals. The unit of analysis is any ED visit involving recent drug use. DAWN captures both ED visits that are directly caused by drugs and those in which drugs are a contributing factor but not the direct cause of the ED visit. The reason a patient used a drug is not part of the criteria for considering a visit to be drug related. Therefore, all types of drug-related events are included: drug misuse or abuse, accidental drug ingestion, drug-related suicide attempts, malicious drug poisonings, and adverse reactions. DAWN does not report medications that are unrelated to the visit. The DAWN public-use dataset provides information for all types of drugs, including illegal drugs, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, anesthetic gases, substances that have psychoactive effects when inhaled, alcohol when used in combination with other drugs (all ages), and alcohol alone (only for patients aged 20 or younger). Public-use dataset variables describe and categorize up to 16 drugs contributing to the ED visit, including toxicology confirmation and route of administration. Administrative variables specify the type of case, case disposition, categorized episode time of day, and quarter of year. Metropolitan area is included for represented metropolitan areas. Created variables include the number of unique drugs reported and case-level indicators for alcohol, non-alcohol illicit substances, any pharmaceutical, non-medical use of pharmaceuticals, and all misuse and abuse of drugs. Demographic items include age category, sex, and race/ethnicity. Complex sample design and weighting variables are included to calculate various estimates of drug-related ED visits for the Nation as a whole, as well as for specific metropolitan areas, from the ED visits classified as DAWN cases in the selected hospitals.

Snapshot img

Drugs Of Abuse Testing Market Size 2024-2028

The drugs of abuse testing market size is forecast to increase by USD 1.04 billion at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2023 and 2028. The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased strategic developments and the growing adoption of advanced information technology and information management solutions. These advancements in instruments enable efficient and accurate testing, reducing turnaround time and enhancing overall productivity. For instance, mass spectrometer and chromatography systems are extensively employed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of cannabinoids in cannabis strains. However, high costs associated with the implementation and maintenance of these technologies remain a challenge for market expansion. Additionally, stringent regulations and the need for continuous innovation to keep up with emerging drugs of abuse are other key factors shaping the market landscape. Overall, the DoA testing market is expected to continue its growth trajectory, fueled by the need for workplace safety and substance abuse prevention.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

Request Free Sample

The market is driven by the increasing prevalence of prescription drug abuse, psychostimulants, fentanyl, vaping, and illicit drugs, as well as alcohol. Substance use disorders continue to be a significant public health concern in the US. Forensic laboratories and hospitals are major end-users, diagnostics with epidemiologic investigations and addiction treatment centers also contribute. Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, those with chronic pain, LIMS software, and individuals with opioid medications are key focus areas. Drugs like Fentanyl, psychostimulants, and cannabis/marijuana are common targets for testing.

Moreover, fentanyl, a powerful opioid, has emerged as a significant threat in the market. Its illegally manufactured forms are often mixed with other substances, making it difficult to detect and leading to a high number of overdose deaths. The elderly population is another vulnerable group in the market. They are at a higher risk of substance use disorders due to chronic pain and the misuse of prescription medications. Drug use statistics indicate that psychostimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, continue to be popular among certain demographics. Vaping, a newer form of drug delivery, has also gained popularity, particularly among the younger population.

Furthermore, real-time surveillance and epidemiologic investigations play a crucial role in identifying drug-related activity and addressing vulnerabilities in the market. Public awareness campaigns and drug testing mandates are essential tools in preventing substance use disorders and promoting addiction treatment. Cannabis, or marijuana, is another substance of interest in the market. While it is legal for medicinal and recreational use in some states, it is still illegal in others, making testing a necessity for employers and law enforcement agencies. The market is expected to grow due to the increasing need for accurate and reliable testing services. This growth is driven by the rising number of overdose deaths, addiction treatment initiatives, and public awareness campaigns.

In conclusion, the market is a critical component in addressing substance use disorders and promoting public health. It encompasses various sectors, including forensic laboratories and hospitals, and offers testing services for a range of substances, including prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and alcohol. The market is driven by various factors, including the increasing prevalence of substance use disorders, the emergence of new drugs and drug delivery methods, and the need for accurate and reliable testing services.

Market Segmentation

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Product

  Instruments
  Consumables


Geography

  North America

    Canada
    US


  Europe

    Denmark


  Asia

    China
    India


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Product Insights

The instruments segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The market encompasses various systems, analyzers, and devices for detecting and quantifying different drug substances. These tools include breath analyzers, chromatography analyzers, immunoassay analyzers, urine testing devices, and oral fluid testing devices. For example, cannabis testing relies on mass spectrometers and chromatography systems to identify and measure the presence and quantity of cannabinoid compounds. Biotechnology plays a significant role in the market, as the principles of detection and quantification are similar to those used in foo

Prevalence estimates based on general population surveys (GPS) are a central component for the monitoring of addictive behaviour. The “Austrian Representative Survey on Addictive Behaviours 2020” is the most comprehensive nationwide survey on addictive behaviours and also covers attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco, illicit psychoactive substances, medications, and gambling. Due to the timely coincidence of the survey with the first wave of the Corona pandemic in Austria (April to June 2020), data on short time changes in behaviour as a result of the pandemic were also collected.

Data on drug overdose death rates, by drug type and selected population characteristics. Please refer to the PDF or Excel version of this table in the HUS 2019 Data Finder (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2019.htm) for critical information about measures, definitions, and changes over time. SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, numerator data from annual public-use Mortality Files; denominator data from U.S. Census Bureau national population estimates; and Murphy SL, Xu JQ, Kochanek KD, Arias E, Tejada-Vera B. Deaths: Final data for 2018. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 69 no 13. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.2021. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/nvsr.htm. For more information on the National Vital Statistics System, see the corresponding Appendix entry at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus19-appendix-508.pdf.

The Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) National Cross-Site Evaluation was conducted to evaluate the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)'s SPF SIG initiative, which sought to: (1) prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse, including childhood and underage drinking; (2) reduce substance abuse-related problems in communities; and (3) build prevention capacity and infrastructure at the state and community levels. This cross-site evaluation included the 21 states and territories CSAP funded in FY2004 (Cohort 1) and an additional 5 States funded in Cohort 2 in FY2005 that were funded for up to 5 years to implement the SPF. The SPF is a five-step prevention planning model that requires states to: (1) conduct a statewide needs assessment, including the establishment of a State Epidemiological and Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW); (2) mobilize and build state and community capacity to address needs; (3) develop a statewide strategic plan for prevention; (4) implement evidence-based prevention, policies, and practices (EBPPP) to meet state and community needs; and (5) monitor and evaluate the implementation of their SPF SIG project. Under contract to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with funding provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Westat, in collaboration with the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) and The MayaTech Corporation, implemented a multilevel, multi-method quasi-experimental design to evaluate SPF SIG's impact. The scope of the evaluation encompassed national, state, and community levels. The design included comparison conditions at both the state and community levels. These data represent Phase I of the restricted use data release and contains extensive data on state-level implementation, community-level implementation, and state-level infrastructure, as well as other reference elements. A subsequent release (Phase II) will include state- and community-level outcomes, as well as data on community-level implementation, community-level implementation fidelity, state-level sustainability, and mediating variables.

From 2018 to 2019, around 4.5 percent of Hispanic adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in the United States reported having a substance abuse disorder during the past year. This statistic illustrates the percentage of adolescents in the U.S. with substance abuse disorders from 2018 to 2019, by race and ethnicity.

Objective: We aimed to identify in this study time trends of relapses in the illicit consumption of narcotics in a special at-risk population of former drug users under a public health perspective.Methods: In a pooled dataset of 14 consecutive calendar years (2006–2019), the use of seven different narcotic substances was studied in 380 persons with a total of 2,928 urine samples which were analyzed using a valid marker system for narcotic residues.Results: During the entire observation period, the relapse rate for cannabinoids and opiates was the highest despite abstinence requirements. It was noticeable that the relapses across all narcotics groups occurred primarily during the first 3 years of the probation period (90%) with a decrease in illegal consumption during the following years of the observation period.Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to probationers at the beginning of the probation period to develop more effective prevention strategies for substance abstinence by all involved actors in public health services.

The DC Metropolitan Area Drug Study (DC*MADS) was conducted in 1991, and included special analyses of homeless and transient populations and of women delivering live births in the DC hospitals. DC*MADS was undertaken to assess the full extent of the drug problem in one metropolitan area. The study was comprised of 16 separate studies that focused on different sub-groups, many of which are typically not included or are underrepresented in household surveys. The Homeless and Transient Population study examines the prevalence of illicit drug, alcohol, and tobacco use among members of the homeless and transient population aged 12 and older in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Statistical Area (DC MSA). The sample frame included respondents from shelters, soup kitchens and food banks, major cluster encampments, and literally homeless people. Data from the questionnaires include history of homelessness, living arrangements and population movement, tobacco, drug, and alcohol use, consequences of use, treatment history, illegal behavior and arrest, emergency room treatment and hospital stays, physical and mental health, pregnancy, insurance, employment and finances, and demographics. Drug specific data include age at first use, route of administration, needle use, withdrawal symptoms, polysubstance use, and perceived risk.

This collection examines the characteristics of users and sellers of crack cocaine and the impact of users and sellers on the criminal justice system and on drug treatment and community programs. Information was also collected concerning users of drugs other than crack cocaine and the attributes of those users. Topics covered include initiation into substance use and sales, expenses for drug use, involvement with crime, sources of income, and primary substance of abuse. Demographic information includes subject's race, educational level, living area, social setting, employment status, occupation, marital status, number of children, place of birth, and date of birth. Information was also collected about the subject's parents: education level, occupation, and place of birth.

Worldwide, it is estimated that 0.72 to 1.49 percent of the global population between 15 and 64 years of age have used opioids in the past year, while approximately 0.57 to 0.86 percent have used amphetamines. This statistic shows the estimated percentage of the global population that have used illicit drugs in the past year as of 2021, by drug type.

Substance use and addiction

Increased vulnerability to using drugs is highly associated with a lack of education about substances and their consequences. Other main factors include biologic factors such as genetic predisposition and personality traits as well as social and environmental factors including difficult home and school life, abuse and neglect, and social deprivation. However, not all who have used illicit substances become addicted, as there were more than seven times more drug consumers than addicts worldwide in 2021. For those with drug use disorders, treatment varies per substance used, but can include detoxification and control of withdrawal symptoms often using medication, and psychological and behavioral support such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Consequences of illicit drug use

Furthermore, there are multiple consequences related to drug use. For example, an estimated 0.3 percent of the global population injects drugs, and unsafe injection carries the possibility of spreading blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. In 2020, there were over 60 million opioid users worldwide, although there is a high risk of fatal overdose. Impaired driving, as well as drug use while pregnant, are also causes of great concern. Globally, drug use also has additional burdens and costs associated with combating crime, health care, social consequences, and lost productivity.

The purpose of the research is to assess the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use among the population of Slovenia, as well as the prevalence of abuse of medicines, cannabis use for health purposes and the prevalence of non-chemical addictions. In Slovenia, the survey was conducted for the second time in 2018/19; the first was carried out in 2011/12.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) series (formerly titled National Household Survey on Drug Abuse) measures the prevalence and correlates of drug use in the United States. The surveys are designed to provide quarterly, as well as annual, estimates. Information is provided on the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco among members of United States households aged 12 and older. Questions include age at first use as well as lifetime, annual, and past-month usage for the following drug classes: marijuana, cocaine (and crack), hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, alcohol, tobacco, and nonmedical use of prescription drugs, including pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives. The survey covers substance abuse treatment history and perceived need for treatment, and includes questions from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders that allow diagnostic criteria to be applied. The survey includes questions concerning treatment for both substance abuse and mental health related disorders. Respondents are also asked about personal and family income sources and amounts, health care access and coverage, illegal activities and arrest record, problems resulting from the use of drugs, and needle-sharing. Questions introduced in previous administrations were retained in the 2002 survey, including questions asked only of respondents aged 12 to 17. These "youth experiences" items covered a variety of topics, such as neighborhood environment, illegal activities, gang involvement, drug use by friends, social support, extracurricular activities, exposure to substance abuse prevention and education programs, and perceived adult attitudes toward drug use and activities such as school work. Several measures focused on prevention related themes in this section. Also retained were questions on mental health and access to care, perceived risk of using drugs, perceived availability of drugs, driving and personal behavior, and cigar smoking. Questions on the tobacco brand used most often were introduced with the 1999 survey and have been retained through the 2002 survey. Demographic data include sex, race, age, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, job status, veteran status, and current household composition. This study has 1 Data Set.

These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed. This study examined differences in youth's mental health and substance abuse needs in seven different racial/ethnic groups of justice-involved youth. Using de-identified data from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement (SYRP), it was assessed whether differences in mental health and substance abuse needs and services existed in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of youth in custody. Data came from a nationally representative sample of 7,073 youth in residential placements across 36 states, representing five program types. An examination of the extent to which there were racial/ethnic disparities in the delivery of services in relation to need was also conducted. This examination included assessing the differences in substance-related problems, availability of substance services, and receipt of substance-specific counseling. One SAS data file (syrp2017.sas7bdat) is included as part of this collection and has 138 variables for 7073 cases, with demographic variables on youth age, sex, race and ethnicity. Also included as part of the data collection are two SAS Program (syntax) files for use in secondary analysis of youth mental health and substance use.