Mexico Faces Alarming Growth in Treatment Cases for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has issued a warning in its latest World Drug Report 2025 (WDR) about the alarming growth in Mexico of cases requiring treatment for problematic consumption of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Contrasting Trends in the US and Canada
While the United States and Canada show initial signs of stabilization or even reduction in fentanyl overdose deaths—with 74,091 and 7,057 reported fatalities in 2023 respectively—Mexico’s trend is moving in the opposite direction, with a sustained increase in treatment admissions for problematic consumption of fentanyl between 2018 and 2023.
Mexico as a Major Methamphetamine Manufacturing Hub
The UNODC report identifies Mexico as one of the primary global manufacturing centers for large-scale methamphetamine production, alongside Myanmar and Afghanistan. Although seizures of methamphetamine in North America decreased after 2021, Mexican data shows an increase in treatment admissions, particularly among men.
“The methamphetamine market continues to expand, with Mexico playing a key role in regional production. This is reflected not only in the scale of seizures but also in the growing public health damage,” the document states.
Fentanyl Trafficking Trends
Regarding fentanyl trafficking, the report specifies that 99% of global seizures in 2023 were made in North America, primarily in the United States. Most seizures between 2022 and 2024 originated from Mexico. Although there’s a possible stabilization in market growth, it is noted that this phenomenon could be linked to increased scrutiny of chemical precursors in Mexico.
“In the US, there are signs of decline, with lower purity, fewer pill seizures, and reduced availability of chemical precursors from Mexico. This reflects growing awareness among suppliers about existing international controls,” the document states.
Global Context
The UNODC also warned that 316 million people aged 15 to 65 consumed drugs in 2023, accounting for 6% of the global population—a significant increase from 5.2% in 2013.
- Most Consumed Substances: Cannabis remained the most consumed substance (244 million users), followed by opoids (61 million), amphetamines (30.7 million), cocaine (25 million), and ecstasy (21 million).
- Treatment Gap: Only one in twelve individuals with substance use disorders received treatment in 2023. The social and economic impact continues to grow, with half a million deaths and 28 million healthy life-years lost due to drug-related causes.
- Cocaine Market Expansion: The global cocaine market experienced its largest expansion in history in 2023, with illegal production reaching 3,708 metric tons—a 34% increase from the previous year. Global seizures reached 2,275 metric tons, a 68% jump compared to the average 2019-2023. The number of consumers grew from 17 million in 2013 to 25 million in 2023.
- Narcotrade Expansion: The expansion of narcotrafficking to Asia and Africa was highlighted, with the report warning that violence previously concentrated in Latin America is now shifting to Western Europe. Crime organizations from the Balkans are gaining influence.
