Cannabis is by far the most commonly used drug worldwide, according to the latest Global Drug Survey (GDS). Cocaine and MDMA are used to a far lesser extend in comparison. The figures used here do not consider alcohol, tobacco or caffeine, which of course are also heavily used. Also, the GDS seeks out younger respondents more involved in drug use. Their overview therefore concentrates on people likely to use drugs than the general public.

The mean age of the surveyed population in the 28 countries covered was 29.1 years, while 46.7 percent of the respondents were under 25 years of age and 47.6 percent went clubbing at least every 3 months. GDS also asked more men (68 percent) than women (32 percent) for their survey.