The illicit drug market in Canada is controlled largely by organized criminal syndicates. Parts of southwest Asia have recently become the main source of supply of heroin to Canada, accounting for 79 percent of this drug on the illicit market. Heroin may become increasingly available in Canada in the future. The availability of cocaine has also increased on the illicit market. In 1982 some 57 percent of this drug originated in Colombia. Cocaine is abused by an estimated 250,000 persons and increasing abuse is likely. However, the most widely abused illicit drugs are cannabis plant, cannabis resin, and liquid cannabis. An illicit demand has also been created for the more potent preparations of marijuana. Another new and alarming trend is the dramatic increase in armed robberies perpetrated by criminal groups to procure manufactured drugs. (Author abstract modified)