News release: “While global markets for cocaine, heroin and cannabis have declined or remained stable, the production and abuse of prescription opioid drugs and new synthetic drugs have risen, according to the World Drug Report 2011. Illicit cultivation of opium poppy and coca bush have remained limited to a few countries. Although there has been a sharp decline in opium production and a modest reduction in coca bush cultivation, the overall level of manufacture of heroin and cocaine has remained significant…Globally, some 210 million people, or 4.8 per cent of the population aged 15-64 years, use illicit substances each year. Drug abuse overall, including problem drug abuse, has remained stable at 0.6 per cent of the population aged 15-64 years. However, demand has soared for substances not under international control, such as piperazine and cathinone, and synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the effects of cannabis, such as Spice products.”