The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that over three million people die each year due to alcohol and drug use.
Alcohol alone causes 2.6 million of these deaths, mostly in Europe and Africa. Men, especially those aged 20-39, are the most affected. Death rates are higher in low-income countries.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stresses that substance use leads to preventable deaths and burdens families and communities.
“Substance use severely harms individual health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, mental health conditions, and tragically resulting in millions of preventable deaths every year,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus.
“It places a heavy burden on families and communities, increasing exposure to accidents, injuries, and violence,” he added.
Around 400 million people worldwide suffer from alcohol and drug use disorders, with more than half dependent on alcohol.
The report underlines the need for urgent global action to reduce substance use and improve treatment access to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.5 by 2030.
“To build a healthier, more equitable society, we must urgently commit to bold actions that reduce the negative health and social consequences of alcohol consumption and make treatment for substance use disorders accessible and affordable,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said.
WHO notes that despite the high need, treatment coverage remains low, with less than 35% receiving treatment in most reporting countries.
To achieve the SDG target, WHO calls for increased awareness, better health system capacity, more trained health professionals, and dedicated resources. They also urge the implementation of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 to reduce harmful alcohol use across the globe.
