EMCDDA European Drug Report 2019: what does it say?

The EMCDDA’s European Drug Report was released last week. It describes trends and developments in the European drug market by compiling national statistics, surveys, and other data sources. Its aim is to provide an accurate picture of the current state of drug use and trafficking in order to facilitate informed and appropriate policy responses.

Cannabis, the most widely used drug in Europe

Unbeatable, the Cannabis remains the most commonly used drug in Europe. «Its prevalence is about five times higher than that of other substances.»says the report. That said, consumption levels vary by age, gender, and country. The France Remains the Leader in Cannabis Consumption with a past-year use rate among young adults (aged 15 to 34) reaching 22%—compared to just 3.5% in Hungary, for example. Over a lifetime, the prevalence of cannabis use in France is 45%. Nearly half of the French population (all ages combined) has experimented with cannabis, compared to only 4% in Malta.

The European average for people aged 15 to 64 is 27.4%; 91.2 million Europeans have used cannabis at some point in their lives. This use is particularly prevalent among young adults (ages 15 to 24), 18% of whom have used cannabis in the past year and 9.3% in the past month. National surveys in 11 different countries report an alarming increase in use among young people.

The report notes, however, that Not all consumption is problematic and distinguishes between occasional, regular, or «addictive» use. It is estimated that approximately 1% of European adults use cannabis daily or almost daily (more than 20 days in the past month). 60% of them are under 35 years of age, and three-quarters are male.

This daily use appears to be increasingly widespread and problematic, since «in the 24 countries with available data, the total number of patients admitted to treatment for the first time for cannabis-related problems increased by 76 % between 2006 and 2017.» «Cannabis is now the substance that new patients admitted to specialized drug treatment services most often cite as the main reason for seeking treatment,» the report states.

Other Considerations

Overall, the report points to an increase in seizures and in the concentration of active ingredients in cannabis with prices that remain stable, however. According to the EMCDDA, the average content of THC Cannabis production is estimated to have doubled over the past decade due to the introduction of new genetic strains with high levels of active ingredients and new production techniques that maximize THC production.

Furthermore, the number of drug-related offenses has been steadily increasing, with a 20% rise since 2007. 79% of these offenses are related to drug use or possession, and three-quarters involve the use or possession of cannabis—though it should be noted that this figure has been declining since 2016. The number of offenses related to drug supply has also increased by 22%, which is consistent with the rise in demand. Here too, cannabis accounts for the majority of offenses (57%).

The report also mentions the diversification of the cannabis market with the emergence of everyday consumer products (plants, smoking blends, tablets, lotions, creams, etc.) derived from hemp and highlights their inconsistent and uncertain legal status: «Their existence raises regulatory questions, as some countries impose criminal penalties for the sale of products with low THC content, while others allow them to be sold without a license.».

Despite these alarming figures, the report also highlights a shift in attitudes toward cannabis. It notes a growing interest in its therapeutic properties and a new debate regarding the effectiveness of current policies and the potential legalization of its use: «Cannabis use remains a topic of great political and public interest, due to the changes taking place, which are sparking a debate on the attitude society should adopt toward this substance.».