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Number of deaths from illicit drugs, World, 2017

Deaths from drug use are distinguished by two measures:
– direct deaths from drug use disorders (in red). These are deaths which result from illicit drug overdoses.
– indirect deaths (in blue) which result from illicit drug use acting as a risk factor for the development of various
diseases and injury.

0100,000200,000300,000400,000500,000Drug use (risk factor)585,348Drug overdoses (direct)166,613

Source: IHME, Global Burden of Disease

Note: Illicit drugs are drugs that have been prohibited under international drug control treaties. They include opioids, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis.