Cocaine is the second most used drug in Europe, after cannabis. However, per capita consumption of the substance tends to be lower than in the Americas.Annual use of cocaine is relatively high in Western and Central Europe (the subregion with the third highest average prevalence in the world) and…
Over the past decade, the prevalence of cocaine use has remained relatively stable in some countries of South America while increasing in others. However, the most recent data from countries where available show signs of stabilization.A wide variety of cocaine products are used in the region,…
The use of amphetamines has distinct regional patterns; past-year use is generally higher among men (0.85 per cent) than women (0.34 per cent) globally.The largest markets for ATS, mainly methamphetamine, remain East and South-East Asia and North America. The highest past-year use of amphetamines…
Data show a growing importance of 3,4-MDP-2-P methyl glycidic acid related substances among “ecstasy” precursors and an ongoing concentration of “ecstasy” precursor seizures in Europe.Historically, 3,4-MDP-2-P, also known as piperonyl methyl ketone (PMK), has been the primary precursor chemical…
“Ecstasy” seizures reached record levels in 2024, surpassing pre-COVID-19 pandemic highs.The quantity of “ecstasy” (MDMA) seized worldwide increased by 13 percent from 2023 to 2024, more than doubling compared with 2021 levels following a pandemic-related decline.Increases were widespread in 2024…
Most “ecstasy” found in the global market continues to be produced in Western and Central Europe.Data suggest that the bulk of the "ecstasy" is still being produced in Europe, with 82 per cent of reported countries of transit or departure of seized shipments around the world being from the region.…
“Ecstasy” use remains highest in high income countries and parts of Asia.Past-year use of "ecstasy" globally is estimated at 0.4 per cent among those aged 15-64. Use is higher among men (0.54 per cent) than women (0.26 per cent), but the difference is not as pronounced as for other drugs (for…
Australia and New Zealand have the highest global annual prevalence of use of "ecstasy", where it is mostly used in capsule and crystal form.In Australia, the use and availability of "ecstasy" declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but have started to increase again in 2023 (while not yet reaching…
“Ecstasy” use remains concentrated in Europe (mainly Western and Central Europe)Use is significantly higher in Western and Central Europe than in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, both in terms of prevalence (1.2 per cent vs. 0.4 per cent) and number of users (nearly 4 million versus less than 800,…
Non-traditional cocaine markets in Africa, Asia and some subregions of Europe are rapidly expanding as shown by supply and demand indicators.Given the substantial population of these regions, even a small increase in the prevalence of use could translate to a large increase in the number of people…
Africa has increasingly become a transit and destination region for cocaine trafficking and use.Cocaine seizures in Africa have increased over 20-fold between 2015 and 2024 and an increasing number of seizures implicate African countries as transit or destination. In 2023, seizures en route to…
Asia has increasingly become a transit and destination region for cocaine trafficking and use over the past decade, although the growth in indicators of availability and use is moderate.Cocaine seizures in Asia increased more than sixfold between 2015 and 2024. Additionally, the number of seizures…
