Wastewater reveals the secrets of Europeans’ drug use in 2021

Findings from a recent wastewater analysis reveal the rise in drug use amongst Europeans as the Commission wants to ban two increasingly used substances.

The report was published by SCORE and the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA), who analysed wastewater in 75 European cities from 25 countries, equivalent to 45 million people.

Results showed that usage of MDMA (ecstasy) was down, while cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine and cannabis were up during 2021, despite lockdowns being prevalent throughout the year.

“Today’s findings provide us with a valuable snapshot of drug use in 75 cities, offering valuable insights into emerging trends. The results show both a rise and spread for most of the substances studied, reflecting a drugs problem that is both pervasive and complex,” said Alexis Goosdeel, EMCDDA Director, in a statement.

The report estimates that the decrease of MDMA is very likely due to lockdowns and the closures of nightclubs. The highest amounts of MDMA were found in the water of cities in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.

On the opposite end of the scale, cannabis use seems to have been affected the least by lockdown measures across the continent. Nearly half of the cities in which cannabis metabolites were analysed — 13 out of 31 — reported an increase.

The highest use of cannabis was found in Croatia, Czechia, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Portugal.

Commission proposed ban on two substances

In other drug news, the European Commission announced Friday (18 March) that it is proposing to ban two substances, 3-methyl methcathinone (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 substances.

Both substances are synthetic cathinone stimulants, which means they are derived from cathinone, the naturally occurring stimulant and primary psychoactive substance in the khat plant, Catha edulis.

According to the EU drugs agency, apart from “general stimulation”, these drugs could give you an elevated mood, feeling of euphoria, increased energy, sociability, and increased libido. On the other hand, you risk insomnia, anxiety, and psychosis.

The drugs agency has monitored 3-MMC as a new psychoactive substance since 2012, when customs in Gothenburg, Sweden, seized 51.1 grams of powder. 3-CMC has been observed since 2014 after police in Norrköping, Sweden, found 0.72 grams of powder.

According to the Commission, both drugs are “life-threatening due to their toxicity”. 3-MMC has been linked to 27 deaths in five member states, and 3-CMC has been linked to 10 deaths in two member states.

The proposal will come in the shape of a delegated act, which will come into force within two months unless the European Parliament or the Council object. After this, member states will have six months to implement the ban into national law.

[Edited by Alice Taylor]

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