Countries with Significant Drug Problems

Worldwide Summary

As of February 22, 2025, the 17 countries listed below face major drug crises, with an estimated total of over 217,000 drug-related deaths per year. Economic costs exceed $1.07 trillion annually across these nations, driven by healthcare, lost productivity, and enforcement. Socially, the toll is immense—family breakdowns, crime, and violence affect millions, with some regions seeing severe destabilization.

Top 17 Countries with Significant Drug Problems!

1. United States
   • Primary Drug: Opioids (especially fentanyl)
   • Penalties for Usage: Varies by state; fines, probation, or up to 1 year jail (federal: 1 year for first offense).
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Moderately effective; 50-70% use reduction, 40-60% relapse.
   • Deaths Per Year: 105,007 (2023).
   • Economic Cost: ~$1 trillion annually (healthcare, lost productivity, criminal justice).
   • Social Cost: High; family disruption, 66,000+ orphaned children yearly, rising crime.
   • Details: Fentanyl drives overdose crisis.
2. Afghanistan
   • Primary Drug: Heroin and opium
   • Penalties for Usage: Extrajudicial punishment or lashings, rarely formal.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Ineffective; 90% relapse due to minimal resources.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~10,000.
   • Economic Cost: ~$2-3 billion (production losses, informal economy).
   • Social Cost: Severe; displacement, child labor in poppy fields, destabilized communities.
   • Details: World’s top opium producer.
3. Iran
   • Primary Drug: Opioids (opium and heroin)
   • Penalties for Usage: Fines, 6 months jail, lashings; trafficking over 5 kg can mean death.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Moderately effective; 60% use reduction, 50-70% relapse.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~3,500.
   • Economic Cost: ~$1.5 billion (healthcare, enforcement).
   • Social Cost: Moderate; family strain, stigma isolates users.
   • Details: High addiction near Afghan border.
4. Russia
   • Primary Drug: Heroin
   • Penalties for Usage: Under 6g fined or 15 days detention; over 6g 3-10 years prison.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Poor; 80%+ relapse, no substitution therapy.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~8,000.
   • Economic Cost: ~$10 billion (HIV treatment, lost labor).
   • Social Cost: High; HIV epidemic, family breakdown.
   • Details: Intravenous use drives HIV spread.
5. China
   • Primary Drug: Methamphetamine and synthetic opioids
   • Penalties for Usage: Compulsory detention (1-3 years); trafficking over 50g can mean death.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Mixed; 80-95% relapse in forced centers, 50-60% success voluntary.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~49,000.
   • Economic Cost: ~$20-30 billion (enforcement, lost productivity).
   • Social Cost: Moderate; hidden use, family stigma.
   • Details: Meth dominates, deaths underreported.
6. Colombia
   • Primary Drug: Cocaine
   • Penalties for Usage: Small amounts decriminalized; trafficking 8-20 years.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Limited; 70-80% relapse.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~1,000.
   • Economic Cost: ~$5 billion (cartel impacts, enforcement).
   • Social Cost: High; violence, displaced families.
   • Details: World’s top cocaine producer.
7. Brazil
   • Primary Drug: Crack cocaine and cocaine
   • Penalties for Usage: Warnings or rehab; trafficking 5-15 years.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Limited; 70% relapse public, 40-50% private.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~4,000.
   • Economic Cost: ~$3 billion (healthcare, crime).
   • Social Cost: High; cracolândias, youth addiction.
   • Details: Major cocaine transit hub.
8. Mexico
   • Primary Drug: Methamphetamine and fentanyl
   • Penalties for Usage: Small amounts decriminalized; larger 10 months-3 years jail.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Poor; 80%+ relapse.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~2,500.
   • Economic Cost: ~$10 billion (cartel wars, health).
   • Social Cost: Severe; violence, family loss.
   • Details: Cartel-driven crisis.

Every Death is a Drug Policy Failure

9. India
   • Primary Drug: Cannabis and synthetic drugs (meth, MDMA)
   • Penalties for Usage: Cannabis fines or 6 months; synthetics 10-20 years.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Poor to moderate; 70-80% relapse public.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~5,000.
   • Economic Cost: ~$2 billion (health, enforcement).
   • Social Cost: Moderate; youth unemployment link.
   • Details: Rising synthetic use.
10. Myanmar
    • Primary Drug: Methamphetamine (yaba, ice) and heroin
    • Penalties for Usage: 5-10 years prison; trafficking over 10g can mean death.
    • Effectiveness of Rehab: Poor; 80-90% relapse.
    • Deaths Per Year: ~2,000.
    • Economic Cost: ~$1-2 billion (informal economy).
    • Social Cost: High; conflict, displacement.
    • Details: Golden Triangle meth hub.
11. Scotland (United Kingdom)
    • Primary Drug: Opioids (heroin and synthetics)
    • Penalties for Usage: Up to 7 years prison, minor cases fined.
    • Effectiveness of Rehab: Moderately effective; 60-70% success, 50% relapse.
    • Deaths Per Year: 1,051 (2023).
    • Economic Cost: ~$1 billion (healthcare, lost productivity).
    • Social Cost: High; family grief, deprivation link.
    • Details: Europe’s drug death capital.
12. Nigeria
    • Primary Drug: Tramadol and cannabis
    • Penalties for Usage: 5-15 years prison, inconsistent enforcement.
    • Effectiveness of Rehab: Poor; 80%+ relapse.
    • Deaths Per Year: ~3,000.
    • Economic Cost: ~$1 billion (health, trafficking).
    • Social Cost: Moderate; youth addiction, trafficking.
    • Details: Tramadol misuse rising.
13. Philippines
    • Primary Drug: Methamphetamine (shabu)
    • Penalties for Usage: 6 months-4 years prison; past extrajudicial killings.
    • Effectiveness of Rehab: Ineffective; 80-90% relapse.
    • Deaths Per Year: ~1,500.
    • Economic Cost: ~$2 billion (enforcement, lost labor).
    • Social Cost: Severe; extrajudicial deaths, fear.
    • Details: Meth persists underground.
14. Pakistan
    • Primary Drug: Heroin and cannabis
    • Penalties for Usage: Up to 2 years; trafficking over 1 kg can mean death.
    • Effectiveness of Rehab: Poor; 70-80% relapse.
    • Deaths Per Year: ~7,000.
    • Economic Cost: ~$1.5 billion (health, border enforcement).
    • Social Cost: Moderate; border instability, stigma.
    • Details: Afghan proximity drives heroin use.
15. South Africa
    • Primary Drug: Methamphetamine (tik) and heroin
    • Penalties for Usage: Fines or 5 years prison; trafficking 10-25 years.
    • Effectiveness of Rehab: Poor; 70-80% relapse public.
    • Deaths Per Year: ~1,200.
    • Economic Cost: ~$500 million (health, crime).
    • Social Cost: High; gang violence, family strain.
    • Details: Cape Town tik crisis.
16. Sweden
    • Primary Drug: Amphetamines and cannabis
    • Penalties for Usage: Fines or 6 months jail; heavier use up to 3 years.
    • Effectiveness of Rehab: Moderately effective; 60-70% success, 40-50% relapse.
    • Deaths Per Year: ~400.
    • Economic Cost: ~$300 million (healthcare, enforcement).
    • Social Cost: Moderate; stigma, youth impact.
    • Details: Strict policy, rising stimulant deaths.
17. Australia
    • Primary Drug: Methamphetamine (ice) and cannabis
    • Penalties for Usage: Fines or up to 2 years, often treatment diversion.
    • Effectiveness of Rehab: Effective; 60-70% success, 40-50% relapse.
    • Deaths Per Year: 2,231 (2021).
    • Economic Cost: ~$5 billion (health, productivity loss).
    • Social Cost: Moderate; rural impact, family disruption.
    • Details: High meth use per capita.

Countries with Minimal Drug Problems

Worldwide Summary

As of February 22, 2025, these 5 countries have minimal drug issues, with fewer than 100 total drug-related deaths per year combined. Economic costs are negligible, totaling under $15 million annually, mainly for enforcement. Social impacts are low, thanks to isolation, strict laws, or strong community structures keeping drug use rare.

1. Iceland
   • Primary Drug: Cannabis (rare)
   • Penalties for Usage: Fines or up to 6 months, rarely enforced.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Highly effective; small-scale, low relapse.
   • Deaths Per Year: <10.
   • Economic Cost: ~$1-2 million (minimal health/enforcement).
   • Social Cost: Negligible; strong social cohesion.
   • Details: Small population, tight controls limit drug use.
2. Bhutan
   • Primary Drug: Cannabis (wild, low abuse)
   • Penalties for Usage: Fines or 1-5 years; trafficking up to life.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Effective; community-based, low relapse.
   • Deaths Per Year: <20.
   • Economic Cost: ~$500,000 (enforcement, health).
   • Social Cost: Low; cultural norms deter use.
   • Details: Isolated, even tobacco is banned.
3. Tonga
   • Primary Drug: Cannabis (rare)
   • Penalties for Usage: Up to 7 years, rarely applied.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Highly effective; informal, community-led.
   • Deaths Per Year: <5.
   • Economic Cost: ~$100,000 (minimal enforcement).
   • Social Cost: Negligible; tight-knit society.
   • Details: Remote Pacific island with little drug presence.
4. Qatar
   • Primary Drug: Cannabis or captagon (rare)
   • Penalties for Usage: 1-5 years prison; trafficking can mean death.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: Effective; mandatory, 50-60% success.
   • Deaths Per Year: ~50.
   • Economic Cost: ~$10 million (enforcement focus).
   • Social Cost: Low; strict laws deter use.
   • Details: Wealth and enforcement keep issues minimal.
5. Kiribati
   • Primary Drug: Cannabis (occasional)
   • Penalties for Usage: Fines or up to 5 years, almost never enforced.
   • Effectiveness of Rehab: N/A; community handles rare cases.
   • Deaths Per Year: <5.
   • Economic Cost: ~$50,000 (minimal impact).
   • Social Cost: Negligible; isolation protects.
   • Details: Tiny atoll nation with no significant drug issues.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking 26 June