Strengthening public health response to substance use in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Substance use is a major public health challenge that has implications for security, safety and development, and requires coordinated, multidimensional and multidisciplinary response. Substance use and its consequences, particularly crime, health problems and lost productivity, cost as much as 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of some countries. The United Nations 2024 World Drug Report estimates that globally, 292 million (5.6%) individuals aged 15-64 years used drugs in 2022 and cannabis was the most used substance. Injecting drug use continues to be an important driver of HIV and viral hepatitis epidemics in some populations, and 64 million people suffer from substance use disorders (SUDs) globally.