AUSTRALIA'S illicit drug market remains dominated by cannabis with signs of rising use of cocaine, the United Nations says in its latest global report on drug use and trafficking.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report says Australians are using less amphetamine type stimulants (ATS), especially methamphetamine and amphetamines, as well as "ecstasy" amid health concerns and public education programs.

"Cannabis remains the most prevalent drug in Australia, as well as the main substance accounting for demand for treatment for substance abuse (50 per cent), with heroin and amphetamines accounting for almost 20 per cent of treatment demand," the report said.

The UN report, based on 2010 data, noted of the 1790 drug-related reported for that year, almost 40 per cent were due to opiates and about one quarter due to benzodiazepines.

It also reported an increase in the use of pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes, which climbed from 3.7 per cent in 2007 to 4.2 per cent in 2010.

In New Zealand the UN reported that a decrease in the use of "ecstasy" is reported to have been offset by the use of other substances mimicking its effects, including piperazines, cathinone and mephedrone.

Australia and New Zealand, together with North America and Europe, remain major markets for cocaine, with the latest data pointing to an increase in cocaine use.

"There was an increase in cocaine use reported in Oceania from an estimated 1.4 to 1.7 per cent in 2009 to 1.5 to 1.9 per cent in 2010, essentially reflecting the increase in cocaine use in Australia, whereas cocaine use remained stable in Western and Central Europe," the report said.

The UNODC also reported "new synthetic psychoactive substances" chemically engineered to remain outside international control are being increasingly used.

In 2010, UNODC said all regions, particularly Europe, North America and Oceania, reported the use of these substances "as an emerging trend".

Originally published as Aussie drug market dominated by cannabis