Nigeria has emerged as a significant player among countries with high cannabis consumption, aligning with global trends in illicit substance use.
Recent data indicates that Nigerians aged 15 to 64 have used cannabis, positioning the nation globally for cannabis usage.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has consistently highlighted the dangers of cannabis use, noting its status as the most consumed illicit drug in the country.
In 2024, the NDLEA reported the arrest of 18,500 suspected traffickers and the seizure of 2.6 million kilograms of drugs, underscoring the pervasive nature of cannabis within Nigeria’s borders.
Globally, cannabis remains the most prevalent illicit drug, with countries like Argentina, Australia, and Belgium reporting widespread use. In Africa, both Nigeria and South Africa are notable for their high prevalence of cannabis consumption.
This trend, shared by World of Statistics through their X handle, illustrates the growing challenges governments face in controlling drug use and its societal impacts on public health.
Below is a list of 44 countries and their most prevalent drugs:
- Afghanistan: Heroin, opium
- Argentina: Cannabis
- Australia: Cannabis
- Azerbaijan: Heroin
- Belarus: Opium
- Belgium: Cannabis
- Canada: Cannabis
- Chile: Cannabis
- China: Methamphetamine
- Croatia: Heroin
- Czechia: Benzodiazepines
- France: Cannabis
- Germany: Cannabis
- Hong Kong: Heroin, opium
- India: Heroin
- Indonesia: Cannabis
- Iran: Opium
- Ireland: Cannabis
- Israel: Cannabis
- Italy: Cannabis
- Japan: Methamphetamine
- Lebanon: Cannabis
- Malaysia: Methamphetamine
- Mexico: Cannabis
- Mongolia: Methamphetamine
- Netherlands: Benzodiazepines
- Nigeria: Cannabis
- Norway: Cannabis
- Pakistan: Cannabis
- Philippines: Cannabis
- Poland: Cannabis
- South Africa: Cannabis
- South Korea: Methamphetamine
- Spain: Cannabis
- Sweden: Cannabis
- Tajikistan: Heroin, opium
- Trinidad and Tobago: Cocaine
- Turkey: Cannabis
- Turkmenistan: Opium
- USA: Cannabis
- UK: Cannabis
- Ukraine: Opioids
- Venezuela: Benzodiazepines
- Vietnam: Heroin
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