The World Health Organization released a new global information system on 26 June, the International Day against Drug Abuse, documenting the allocation of resources for the prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug-related problems in 147 countries. The database shows that the majority of people with substance abuse disorders are currently not receiving effective treatment and care. According to the system, to date, drug dependence has not been recognized as a health problem in many countries, and the discrimination associated with it has been a major barrier to appropriate treatment, with only 82 countries providing special health services to people with substance abuse disorders. The latest United Nations data show that in 2010, some 230 million people aged 15 to 64 globally used illicit drugs at least once, representing 5 per cent of the total population in that age range. Saxena, head of the WHO’s mental health and substance abuse unit, said the data in the new system demonstrated the huge gaps in substance abuse treatment, although more and more countries are realizing that treating drug and alcohol dependence has benefits not only for the individual, but also for the economy and society as a whole. According to WHO, drug dependence can be effectively treated with low-cost medications and standardized psychiatric treatments. Among these, heroin addiction treatment has been very successful in reducing HIV infections, related crime and drug overdose deaths due to unsafe injecting.