The number of drug users has increased in Armenia in 2016, the country’s chief narcologist said Friday, June 24.

5,357 people did drugs in 2015, whereas their number has gone up to 5,828 this year. The figures include only the registered drug users.

“Among them are 11 minors, while the number of women grows each year,” Petros Semerjyan said.

“Illegal circulation of narcotics often leads to drug addiction. Completing rehabilitation, 80% of former addicts start doing drugs again.”

In its annual World Drug Report issued on Thursday, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said there were now more than 29 million people suffering from drug use disorders worldwide, well up on the 27 million reported a year ago.