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Posted on May 22, 2018, 4 p.m.
The biggest threats to human welfare of all addictive drugs arguably are tobacco and alcohol, which are fully legal in most countries. Most up to date sources of information on tobacco, illicit drug use, alcohol, and burden of disease and death shows that tobacco and alcohol use combined cost humans upwards of a quarter of a billion disability adjusted life years, with illicit drugs costing tens of millions further, as published in the journal Addiction.
The smallest burden from substance use was found to be attributed to illicit drugs use, while tobacco use was the greatest. Global estimates are that 1 in 7 adults use tobacco products; and that 1 in 5 adults will have heavy use of alcohol at least once per month.
Higher alcohol consumption per capita; higher percentages of heavy alcohol consumption among drinkers; and highest prevalence of tobacco use was observed to be in Central, Eastern, and Western Europe.
In surprising contrast use of illicit drugs is far less common. Less than 1 in 20 use cannabis, estimates were observed to be even lower for cocaine, amphetamines, and opioids. Canada, Australasia, and USA had the highest rates for cocaine, cannabis and opioid dependence. USA rates were 694.8 per 100,000 people for cannabis, 574.5 for opioids, and 269.3 for cocaine. Canadian rates were 812.3 per 100,000 people for cannabis, 717.3 for opioids, and 333.7 for cocaine. Australasia was observed to have the highest prevalence of amphetamine dependence at 491.5 per 100,000 people, 693.7 for cannabis, 509.9 for opioids, and 160.5 for cocaine.
Some countries such as caribbean and Latin America, Africa and Asia regions have little to no data on substance use associated with health burden. These areas are typically middle or low income countries that have punitive drug policies and may experience political and social unrest. Such countries as these need enhanced monitoring as they are at risk of rapid escalation in substance abuse/use and related health burden.
Global Statistics on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drug Use: 2017 Status Report uses data obtained from various sources such as the United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and the World Health Organization. It is believed that putting all of the data in one place it will make it easier for international agencies and governments to develop policies to combat substance abuse.
Materials provided by Society for the Study of Addiction.
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Journal Reference:
Amy Peacock, Janni Leung, Sarah Larney, Samantha Colledge, Matthew Hickman, Jürgen Rehm, Gary A. Giovino, Robert West, Wayne Hall, Paul Griffiths, Robert Ali, Linda Gowing, John Marsden, Alize J. Ferrari, Jason Grebely, Michael Farrell, Louisa Degenhardt. Global statistics on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use: 2017 status report. Addiction, 2018; DOI: 10.1111/add.14234
