In 2009;; the United Nations Member States decided to make further and decisive progress;; within a decade;; in controlling illicit drug supply and demand. Many illicit drug markets have reached global dimensions and require control strategies on a comparable scale. In that context;; there is a need to better understand these transnational markets and the manner in which they operate. This year's World Drug Report is a contribution towards that objective. It opens with an analytical discussion of three key transnational drug markets: the markets for heroin;; cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants. The market discussion is followed by a presentation of statistical trends for all major drug categories. The latest information on drug production;; seizures and consumption is presented. Finally;; there is a discussion on the relationship between drug trafficking and instability.

The World Drug Report presents comprehensive information on the illicit drug situation. It provides detailed estimates and trends on production;; trafficking and consumption in the opium/heroin;; coca/cocaine;; cannabis and amphetamine-type stimulants markets. This 2009 report;; for the first time includes special feature sections on the quality of drug data available to UNODC;; trends in drug use among young people and police-recorded drug offences. It also discusses one the most formidable unintended consequences of drug control - the black market for drugs - and how the international community best can tackle it.

The World Drug Report presents comprehensive information on the illicit drug situation. It provides detailed estimates and trends on production;; trafficking and consumption in the opium/heroin;; coca/cocaine;; cannabis and amphetamine-type stimulants markets. The drug problem is being contained but there are warning signs that the stabilisation which has occurred over the last few years could be in danger. Notable amongst these is the increase in both opium poppy and coca cultivation in 2007;;some growth in consumption in developing countries and some development of new trafficking patterns. There have also been encouraging contractions in some of the main consumer markets. This year;; almost one hundred years since the Shanghai Opium Commission in 1909;; the Report presents an historical review of the development of the international drug control system.