Poverty is a direct factor leading to substance dependence including child maltreatment and abuse. Human trafficking and abuse are also direct factors leading to abuse. Other factors like an increase in depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety leading to greater reports of youth drug use.

Major trends highlight, prescription drugs rising everywhere and overdoses rising for pharmaceutical drugs. Oxycodone has been a major rise for young people who are depressed. Economic crises mentioned as a factor and increases awareness of cocaine problems has lead to rise in other drug uses.

Again lack of data is mentioned as a big problem for some countries.