Fight against drug abuse still a challenge

June 26 marks International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has also released this year's World Drug Report.

June 26 marks International Day Against Drug Abuse  and Illicit Trafficking. The United Nations Office  on Drugs and Crime has also released this year's  World Drug Report.

The report shows that major drug markets have seen a general downward trend. But the production and use of new drugs -- including synthetic drugs -- have risen. The report warns that the challenge of drug-related crimes remains serious. Especially in poor and less developed countries, where there's been rapid growth in the production and consumption of drugs.

There are around two-hundred million drug users spread across some 200 countries and regions. Illegal drug users are generally aged between 16 64 years. Every year, about two-hundred thousand people around the world people die from illegal drug use.