The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has published the European Web Survey on Drugs 2021.
The anonymous, web-based survey collected data between March and April 2021 from people who use drugs, aged 18 or older, living in 21 EU and 9 non-EU countries.
During this period the populations in many European countries were experiencing COVID-19-related lockdown or restrictions, making the research findings an important study of the effects of national lockdown policy on drug consumption patterns.
Top level findings
48,469 respondents reported having used at least one illicit drug in the 12 months prior to the survey (last 12 months use) and live in one of 21 EU countries covered by the survey and Switzerland (more information on the methodology can be found here).
- Most survey respondents (93 %) reported using cannabis during the previous 12 months, 35 % used MDMA/ecstasy, 35 % cocaine and 28 % amphetamine.
- The most commonly reported motivations for cannabis use were relaxation, getting high and aiding sleep.
- Home was reported as the most common setting for drug use during the period.
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and national measures was reported to be greatest on the use of cannabis (increased consumption) and ecstasy/MDMA (decreased consumption).
The survey helps paint a more detailed, realistic and timely picture of drug use and drug markets in Europe. For detailed information and analysis of the survey findings, please visit: European Web Survey on Drugs 2021.
A full news release can be found here.
