Last week, the 2018 Global Drug Survey (GDS) published its annual findings on recreational drug use (both legal and illegal) among 130 000 people across 44 countries. The anonymised online survey uses a detailed questionnaire to assess trends in drug use and self-reported harms among regular drug users and early adopters of new trends. Although the survey is not designed to determine prevalence, it provides an invaluable source of information about the stigmatised behaviours and health outcomes of a hidden population that is otherwise difficult to reach. Their drug use can be used to inform targeted interventions. …..more