Politics
Briefing: Drug use report: Sharp drop of MDMA in European wastewaters; cocaine and ketamine rise
Strategic angle: A new study reveals significant changes in illicit drug use across Europe, highlighting a decrease in MDMA and increases in ketamine and cocaine.
editorial-staff
1 min read
Updated 24 days ago
The study, which analyzed wastewater from 115 cities in 25 countries, provides critical insights into the changing landscape of illicit drug consumption in Europe.
From 2024 to 2025, MDMA residues in wastewater decreased by 16%, indicating a potential shift in user preferences or availability.
Conversely, ketamine usage saw a substantial increase of 41% during the same period, raising questions about its rising prevalence in the region.