The data were primarily from the annual report questionnaire sent by governments to the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNDCP) in 2001. The ban on opium production in Afghanistan in 2001 and subsequent developments in that country have brought global opiate markets to a crossroads. Following the ban in Afghanistan, global opium poppy cultivation was reduced by 35 percent; potential production went down by 65 percent. In Afghanistan, opium poppy cultivation was down by 91 percent and opium production by 94 percent in 2001. A UNDCP pre-assessment survey in February 2002 showed that opium poppy cultivation has resumed in Afghanistan and could produce levels comparable to the mid-1990's. A very large increase in production in Myanmar is not expected in 2002. Because of a reduction in Colombia and despite relatively modest increases in Peru and Bolivia, there was a decrease of coca bush cultivation at the global level in 2001. In Colombia, coca cultivation was down 11 percent from previous year’s estimates. Information is lacking to make an assessment of illicit cannabis cultivation at the global level but growing seizures suggest a continued increase. In 2000, heroin seizures increased by 44 percent and cocaine seizures declined by 7 percent. ATS seizures increased by 17 percent in 2000, reflecting more production and the methamphetamine epidemic in East and South East Asia. It is estimated that 185 million people consume illicit drugs (annual prevalence 1998-2000). This includes 147 million for cannabis, 33 million for amphetamines, 7 million for Ecstasy, 13 million for cocaine, and 13 million for opiates. In 2000, the strongest increases were for ATS consumption. Cocaine abuse decreased in the United States. Cannabis and Ecstasy abuse generally increased in the Americas.