Take part in the Global Drug Survey 2021

Every year, the Global Drug Survey estimates drug use levels and habits in some twenty countries, including France. Totally anonymous, it seeks to have an honest conversation about drug use, and helps to ensure personal safety, whatever the legal status of the drug in question.

The study takes 25 minutes to complete and can be accessed here.

Results of the GDS special edition COVID-19

GDS had taken advantage of the first containment to see how Covid has changed the consumption of alcohol and other drugs, as well as the evolution of drug markets and access to products.

As far as cannabis is concerned, «adaptations to confinement have been varied», says Marie Jauffret-Roustide, Inserm researcher and French coordinator of the survey.

Over 3/4 of French participants did not experience any major changes in their cannabis consumption during the pandemic:

• 25% showed a drop in consumption (13% a significant drop). The reasons given were fewer contacts with people, fewer opportunities to consume, supply difficulties, the search for better health or a lack of desire to consume during the pandemic.
• 40% stable
• 1/3 up (significant increase: 16%). Respondents noted that they had more time to use, were bored or anxious, had more time with their roommate or partner, or were more depressed.

Compared to the rest of the world, fewer French people have significantly reduced their consumption, and more French people have moderately increased their consumption.

The survey also brought to light a notable fact: the pleasure of consuming cannabis during confinement. 30% declared that they enjoyed using cannabis more during confinement. Proportionally, however, more people wished to reduce their cannabis consumption (38%).

The majority of users adapted. A large proportion of cannabis use was linked to the pleasure of consumption, while others had a therapeutic purpose (anxiety, depression...). Changes in use were certainly dictated by circumstances. The number of people used to consuming in groups has fallen, while the use of cannabis for anxiolytic purposes has increased.

In terms of supplies, consumers have not experienced any major shortages, and few people report having stocked up. It will be interesting to see the impact of the second containment on consumption. Thank you in advance for taking part in the survey, which closes at the end of January. is available here.