[CharlieA]

A bit more detail further in the report: "The UNODC estimates, conservatively, that between 155 and 270 million people worldwide, or 3.5% to 5.7% of 15-64-year¬olds, used illicit substances at least once in the last year. Global lifetime usage figures probably approach one billion"

[disbelief]

Ah thanks, I only made it through the executive summary. The one billion figure seems more realistic if we're talking lifetime usage. I'd still expect that "once in the last year" number to be higher, though they do say that's a conservative estimate.

[robin_reala]

What does illicit mean in this situation? Illegal in the country the drug was taken in at the time?

[refurb]

If it's an UN study, it probably includes all drugs that the UN regards as needing "control".

http://www.unodc.org/