Drug Use Among Europeans in 2021: A Wastewater Analysis

The conclusions of a recent analysis of wastewater reveal increasing drug use among Europeans, despite heavy lockdowns. The report analyzed the wastewater of around 45 million people in 75 European cities in 25 countries and found that, apart from a noticeable drop in MDMA usage, most other drugs had risen in usage, including cannabis, which saw an increase in over half the surveyed cities.

The conclusions of a recent analysis of wastewater reveal an increase in drug use among Europeans, while the Commission wants to ban two substances whose consumption is on the rise.

The report was published by SCORE and the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), which analyzed the wastewater of around 45 million people in 75 European cities in 25 countries.

For more news like this, don’t forget to download our free cannabis news app.

The Drug Use Analysis Results Are In

The drug use analysis results showed that MDMA (ecstasy) was the only drug for which use decreased in the majority of the cities studied, while the use of cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, and cannabis increased in 2021. This was despite the containment measures that prevailed throughout the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Today’s results provide us with a valuable snapshot of drug use in 75 cities, offering valuable insights into emerging trends. The results show both an increase and a spread for most of the substances studied, which reflects a drug problem that is both pervasive and complex,” said Alexis Goosdeel, director of the EMCDDA, in a press release.

The report finds that the decline in MDMA use is most likely due to lockdown-drive drug use trends and nightclub closures. The highest concentrations of MDMA residues were found in cities in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.

On the other hand, cannabis consumption seems to have been the least affected by containment measures on the continent. Nearly half of the cities that tested for cannabis metabolites (THC-COOH)—13 out of 31—reported an increase in cannabis loads.

Cannabis use is highest in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Portugal.

European Commission Proposes Prohibition of two Drugs

The European Commission also announced on Friday, March 18 that it proposed to ban two substances, 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) and 3-chloromethcathinone (3-CMC).

This is only the third time the EU executive has proposed a ban based on EU rules on psychoactive drug use.

Both substances are synthetic cathinones that behave as central nervous system stimulants. They are related to the parent molecule cathinone, a natural stimulant and the main psychoactive substance of the khat plant ( Catha edulis ).

According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), in addition to “general stimulation”, these drugs can improve mood, give a feeling of euphoria, increase energy, sociability, and libido. On the other hand, consumers are at risk of suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and psychosis.

The EMA has been monitoring 3-MMC as a new psychoactive drug since 2012, when customs in Gothenburg, Sweden seized 51.1 grams of the product in powder form. 3-CMC, meanwhile, has been under surveillance since 2014, after police in Norrköping, Sweden, found 0.72 grams of the powder.

According to the Commission, the two drugs constitute “a danger of death because of their toxicity” . 3-MMC has been linked to 27 deaths in five EU Member States, and 3-CMC to 10 deaths in two Member States.

The proposal will take the form of a delegated act, which will enter into force within two months unless the European Parliament or the Council objects. Afterward, Member States will have six months to transpose the ban into their national legislation.

__

(Featured image by Ivan Bandura via Unsplash)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in Euractiv, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.