Yes, Italy has a significant drug problem, particularly regarding the consumption of cannabis and cocaine, and it serves as a major transit point for drug trafficking in Europe. Recent reports indicate that illegal substance use is spreading like "a pandemic," with approximately 16.4 billion euros spent on drugs in 2022.
Cannabis products are the most used illicit drugs in Italy. As a matter of fact, 8.5 percent of people in Italy consumed cannabis in 2022. Marijuana and hashish are among the least expensive illicit drugs in Italy, with an average cost of 10.2 and 11.8 euros per gram, respectively.
Violent crimes are very rare in Italy evidenced by its homicide rate of 0.51 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021, which is the lowest in Europe aside from micro states like Vatican City and San Marino, and one of the lowest in the world.
As of 2024, 14.5 percent of the adult population in Spain was estimated to have used illicit drugs in the previous year, with this being the highest estimated figure in any European country. The Netherlands had the second-highest rate of illicit drug use, at around 13.7 percent.
Arguably one of the most drug-infested cities in the US is Baltimore, Maryland. Heroin addiction is an epidemic in Baltimore, with as many as one out of ten residents using the drug and needing heroin addiction treatment.
Drug-free world
Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas. Thieves and pickpockets take advantage of large gatherings to target travellers. People may approach you on the street to sell tickets to events.
Poverty was the main reason for emigration, specifically the lack of land as mezzadria sharecropping flourished in Italy, especially in the South, and property became subdivided over generations. Especially in Southern Italy, conditions were harsh.
U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa. Pickpocketing is common on public transport and in crowded areas. Tourists can be fined or detained for buying counterfeit goods, defacing historic monuments, and using aerial drones.
By far, alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States.
The US has the highest death rates from opioids and illicit drugs. Opioids are responsible for the largest number of overdose deaths globally. Death rates from illicit drugs are the highest in the United States.
Here's a closer look at 10 states with the biggest drug problems and what these states are doing to combat substance abuse:
Alcohol. Alcohol is the most regularly used addictive substance in America, with nearly 29 million people aged 12 or older having a past year alcohol use disorder in 2023.
Cannabis continues to be the most used drug, with an estimated 219 million users (4.3 per cent of the global adult population) in 2021.
There isn't one single "most drug friendly" country, as it depends on the definition, but Portugal and the Netherlands are often cited for progressive approaches, with Portugal decriminalizing all drugs for personal use (treating it as a health issue) and the Netherlands tolerating cannabis in "coffee shops," focusing on harm reduction and health for users. Other regions like Australia's ACT or areas in Northern NSW have liberal cannabis policies, while some countries have established safe injection sites or medical cannabis programs.
Yes, it's generally safe to travel to Italy, but exercise increased caution due to terrorism risks and petty crime, especially during the busy Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (Feb-Mar 2026) when crowds, transport impacts, and security will be heightened. Major concerns are terrorism threats at tourist sites and pickpocketing in crowded areas, requiring vigilance, while COVID-19 restrictions are largely lifted, says an article from CNN.