Jump in Hard Drug Consumption in France
A Skyrocketing Rise in Consumption
France is experiencing a significant increase in the consumption of hard drugs. According to recent reports, cocaine, heroin and ecstasy are increasingly abused.
Cocaine: A Rate on the Rise
Between 2010 and 2022, emergency room visits related to cocaine tripled, reaching 23,335 cases. In 2022, around 72 emergency room visits per week were recorded. Men aged 32 on average represent 75% of cases. The most affected regions are Guyana (44.1 per 100,000), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (40.8) and Occitanie (27).
Polyconsumption and Complications
33% of cocaine users also suffer from alcohol poisoning. Benzodiazepines (9.6%), cannabis (9.5%) and opioids (4.8%) are often used simultaneously. Complications include cardiac (chest pain, tachycardia) and psychiatric (anxiety, schizophrenia) problems.
Increase in Seizures and Production
Cocaine seizures have reached record levels, with 27 tonnes intercepted in 2021, up 44%. Global cocaine production has also increased, contributing to increased availability on the European market.
Skyrocketing Consumption
In 2023, nearly one in ten adults (9.4%) in France have used cocaine at least once in their life, compared to 5.6% in 2017. Current use, defined by consumption at over the last 12 months, has experienced an exponential trajectory, increasing tenfold between 1992 (0.3%) and 2023 (2.7%). This spectacular increase reflects a worrying trend of democratization and trivialization of cocaine in French society.
Aging of Cannabis Users
For three decades, cannabis has remained the most consumed illicit drug in France. With a price oscillating between 8 and 10 euros per gram, its experimentation rate increased from 12.7% in 1992 to 50.4% in 2023, or one in two adults. Regular use has remained stable since 2014, affecting 3.4% of adults in 2022. A notable trend is the aging of consumers, with more and more adults aged 40 and over continuing their use.
The Explosion of Heroin Use
Heroin consumption in France has also seen a notable increase. Data shows an increase in seizures, with a record quantity of 1.5 tonnes seized in 2021. In 2023, 0.8% of adults had used heroin at least once in their life, compared to 0.3% in 1992. This sharp rise underlines a worrying spread of the use of this hard drug.
Ecstasy: Growing Popularity
Ecstasy is also seeing its consumption increase. In 2023, 5.6% of adults had experimented with this drug, compared to 3.1% in 2017. Recent use (during the last 12 months) increased from 0.9% in 2017 to 1.6% in 2023 This increase reflects the growing popularity of ecstasy, particularly among young adults.
Ketamine, GHB and 3M™
The study by the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies (OFDT) now includes ketamine, GHB/GBL and 3MMC. In 2023, experimentation with ketamine will reach 2.6% among adults aged 18 to 64, mainly young people aged 25 to 34 (4.8%). This drug, sold in powder or crystals for 40 euros per gram, is often purchased on the "darknet". For 3M™ and GHB/GBL, experimentation rates are less than 1%, but these substances are popular in "chemsex" practices to increase sexual pleasure and endurance.
Conclusion
The rise in the use of hard drugs in France, including cocaine, cannabis, heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, GHB and 3M™, highlights an urgent need to strengthen efforts of prevention. On ama-prevention.fr , you will find essential tools and resources to raise awareness and prevent these uses, support people in difficulty, and direct them towards support structures. The fight against the trivialization of these substances requires better information and collective mobilization.
