By far the most ubiquitous drug is cannabis. It is estimated that over 140 million people regularly use cannabis worldwide. Thirty-eight countries reported an increase in cannabis use. The countries surveyed are amongst the poorest in the world. The report establishes that poor people use the most drugs.
Unemployed people make up a large proportion of cannabis users.
In all 10 countries, the urban population has increased at a higher rate than urban employment. Annual labour force growth averages 2.5 percent and employers are wholly unable to absorb this. The traditional large employers in transport and nationalised industries are being privatised and downsized. Many more women are looking for work, while their employment opportunities stagnate. There are 12,000 street children in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, alone.