We’ve lost the war on drugs. These 4 charts show why

Countries on the frontline of the war on drugs have been losing patience with global efforts to tackle the issue.

At the request of Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala, a special session of the UN discussed the lack of progress in April.

But new measures agreed in New York disappointed many with their focus on prohibition – the same approach that has failed to dent targets for two decades.

So how bad have things got in the global war on drugs?

1. The number of illicit drug users is still rising

The UN estimates that 246 million people – 5% of the 15-64 age group – used an illicit drug in 2013.

Men are three times more likely than women to use cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines. Women are more likely to misuse prescription opioids and tranquilizers.

2. Efforts to stem supply are failing

While coca bush cultivation has fallen, opium poppy production is up and most other indicators of supply are at best flat.

3. There's been a sharp growth in synthetic drugs

Methamphetamine dominates the global market for synthetic drugs. By December 2014, 541 new psychoactive substances with a negative health impact had been reported – a 20% increase on the previous year.

4. Portugal's experiment with drug legalization seems to be working

More than 30 countries have some form of drug legalization. There's particular interest in Portugal, which took a radical step towards decriminalizing drug possession in 2001.

After an initial increase in dependency, drug use has been falling in Portugal and is below the level before the law was changed. Drug-related deaths have fallen by 80%.