President Nixon famously declared recreational drugs to be "public enemy number one".

However, while the United States' war on drugs continues (albeit with signs of de-escalation in some states), analysis shows that for a surprising number of countries, cocaine use is entirely permissible.

Use of cocaine is wide spread, with the highly addictive stimulant used by 23.5 million people in 2022, according to a report by the UN. The same study reported that one out of every 18 people worldwide aged 15-64 used drugs in 2022.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Organization (UNODC) noted a significant increase in global supply and demand, with coca tree cultivation covering 354,900 hectares and a record 2,757 tons of cocaine produced in 2022, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year.

The global cocaine market is concentrated in Europe and the US but is rapidly spreading in developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Southeast Europe.

In Peru it is legal to hold up to a few grams for personal use only, however public consumption and the sale of cocaine is illegal. This is similar to Columbia where it is legal to hold up to 1g per person and also to cultivate the plant in your home.

It's also legal to cultivate the plant in Bolivia, however, it is illegal to have it in your possession.

In Peru it is legal to hold up to a few grams for personal use only, however public consumption and the sale of cocaine is illegal.

The Swiss government is also looking at national policy changes to legalize the sale of cocaine for recreational use.

Switzerland has one of the highest levels of cocaine use in Europe, with Zurich, Basel, and Geneva all featuring in the top 10 cities in Europe for cocaine use, according to research conducted by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

Bern's parliament has supported the idea, but it would still need to overcome opposition local government before the policy is implemented.

Basel, Geneva, and Zurich also contained some of the highest residues of cocaine in their wastewater samples.

Cities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal showed the highest prevalence of cocaine in their wastewater samples.

Cocaine tends to be manufactured in remote jungle labs where the raw product undergoes a series of chemical transformations. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Colombia produces an estimated 90% of the cocaine powder reaching the U.S. The vast majority of cocaine entering the United States comes through Mexico.

Drug policy internationally appears to be evolving, as in 2021, Oregon became the first US state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cocaine. People caught with small amounts of drugs for personal use now have to pay a $100 fine or have a health check at a rehab center. In addition to this, Oregon is the first to legalize the therapeutic use of hallucinogenic mushrooms. The legislation was approved by a public vote as part of a nationwide push to relax drug laws.

Steve Rolles, Senior Policy Analyst at Transform Drug Policy Foundation told Newsweek the war on drugs has "consistently failed to deliver".

Rolles said: "All it has done is fuel criminalization, stigma, marginalization, and violence. It is that generational failure that is driving the growing calls for drug law reform around the world."

"Currently spending on drug law enforcement eclipses spending on health interventions such as treatment and harm reduction by an enormous margin", he added.

"Reducing the stigma of criminalization would additionally reduce barriers to much-needed services for vulnerable individuals."

Newsweek has reached out to the UNODC for comment.

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