Less party drugs, more domestic use during COVID times
EU Drugs Report 2021: trends and developments
IK – 06/2021
The coronavirus pandemic has had a manifold
effect on almost every aspect of life. This also applies to the drug situation
in Europe. Whereas the use of illicit drugs decreased during the first lockdown
phase, it subsequently increased again up to the previous level. However, the
data also indicates that occasional users reduced or stopped using during the
pandemic, whilst regular users increased their consumption. These are two of
the key findings of the 2021
Drug Report, published by the EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs
and Drug Addiction). The drugs report is based on the latest data on the
situation of illicit drugs from the EU member states, Norway and Turkey. It
provides an overview of drug use, trends, supply and markets, as well as data
on prevention, treatment and law enforcement.
More drugs used at home
The
pandemic is having a perceptible impact on drug choices. There was an increase
in the use of drugs taken in home use, especially in lockdown periods.
According to the survey, cannabis was by far the most commonly used substance
in 2020. 22.2 million (7%) of Europeans aged 15 - 64 have used cannabis. The
study found that the trend towards home cannabis cultivation, no doubt due in
part to output restrictions, continued last year. Cocaine use took second place in 2020: an
estimated 3.5 million (1.2%) Europeans used this drug last year. The report assessed
the situation with regard to the abuse of benzodiazepines, certain sleeping
pills and tranquillisers as being a matter of concern. The EMCDDA cites the
high availability and low cost of these substances, as well as pandemic-related
mental health problems among users, as possible reasons.
Less party drugs in the lockdown
In contrast, the use of ecstasy,
amphetamine, LSD or ketamine, drugs that can be attributed to partying and
night-life, decreased during the lockdown period. However, available data
suggest that the more the lockdown measures are relaxed, the greater the role
of these drugs will be once again. For example, data show that the easing of
movement and travel restrictions in the summer of 2020 has already led to an
increase in the consumption of these substances.
Care for drug addicts in the coronavirus crisis
During the first wave of the COVID-19
pandemic, care for addicts was severely limited in many EU countries. However, the Drug Report 2021 stated that in
most member states, including Germany, care services could be stabilised
comparatively quickly.
Impact of the pandemic on drug supply
The drug market has adapted quite quickly
to the coronavirus crisis: Drugs have since been sold less on the street and
more via encrypted messaging services, social media apps, online sources, and
mail and delivery services. At the
wholesale level, this is reflected in changes in smuggling routes from land to
sea, according to the report.
EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan
The EMCDDA drugs report provides key
messages and trends on the implementation of the EU Drugs Strategy and the EU
Drug Action Plan 2021-25. The new EU
Drugs Strategy, published in December 2020, provided the overarching policy
framework for the EU’s drugs policy over the next five years. The EU's
priorities lie mainly in three areas: reducing drug supplies - improving
safety, reducing drug demand - prevention, treatment and care services as well
as addressing drug-related harm.