As the world marks the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking today, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strong call for decisive, collective action to confront the growing public health emergency posed by substance use disorders.
Speaking from Cairo, Egypt, the WHO emphasized that drug use is not only a legal or security issue, but a major health challenge that threatens development, stability, and lives across the globe.
“Drug use disorders are costing countries up to 2% of their GDP through health expenses, crime, and lost productivity. Yet, despite the enormous health impact, the response has largely focused on punitive actions, reinforcing stigma and neglecting treatment,” the WHO stated.
In 2022, an estimated 292 million people globally 5.6% of those aged 15–64 used drugs. Of this number, 64 million were living with drug use disorders. The situation is especially dire in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, where 6.7% of the population in the same age group used drugs and over 3.4 million suffered from addiction.
Worryingly, only 1 in 11 people globally and 1 in 13 in the region recived treatment in 2022, despite evidence showing that every dollar invested in treatment yields a return of $4 to $12 in societal benefits.
In response, WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean launched the “Regional Flagship Initiative on Accelerating Public Health Action on Substance Use” in October 2024. The initiative seeks to reframe drug policy around health rather than punishment.
“The initiative aims to prevent drug use through life skills education in schools and workplaces, and to embed evidence-based treatments in universal health coverage packages,” WHO explained.
To accelerate progress, WHO has also established a Regional Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health and Substance Use, along with a Regional Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, to support community-led responses and amplify the voices of people with lived experience.
“The path forward demands bold investments in sustainable, evidence-based solutions,” the organization urged. “Now, more than ever, we must align our strategies and act together to do more with less.”
WHO is calling on governments, health institutions, and communities worldwide to unite behind health-based drug policies that prioritize treatment, harm reduction, and human dignity.
“Together, we can build a healthier, more stable future one that ensures every individual has access to the care and support they need,” the WHO concluded.
