The problem of drugs threatens individual health，family wellbeing，national security，regional stability and world peace. As a global issue，it displays following trends since 2018：the continued increase in the number of known and hidden users，the convergence in the type of drugs being preferred by users，the tendency for new psychoactive substance to replace traditional drugs，the emergence of the internet as a major platform for drug trafficking and sales，the rising threat of “narcoterrorism，” and the importance of collaboration over drugs as a topic for US-China relations，etc. These new developments are challenging traditional methods and approaches of controlling drugs，and they force the international community to treat the problem seriously because of its significance for national security and international relations. Only intensified international collaboration can successfully avert a crisis.