At a glance — estimates of drug use in the European Union

This page is part of the European Drug Report 2023, the EMCDDA's annual overview of the drug situation in Europe.

At a glance — estimates of drug use in the European Union
 

Source data

Drug use in Europe, at a glance source data
Age group Substance Last year use (millions) Last year use (%) Lowest national estimate (%) Highest national estimate (%) Lifetime use (millions) Lifetime use (%)
Adults (15-64) Amphetamines 2 0.7     10.3 3.6
Young adults (15-34) Amphetamines 1.3 1.3 0 3.5    
Adults (15-64) Cannabis 22.6 7.9     84 29.3
Young adults (15-34) Cannabis 15.3 15.1 3.4 20.9    
Adults (15-64) Cocaine 3.7 1.3     15.5 5.4
Young adults (15-34) Cocaine 2.3 2.3 0.2 4.8    
Adults (15-64) MDMA 2.3 0.8     11.5 4
Young adults (15-34) MDMA 1.8 1.8 0.2 7.8    
Heroin and other opioids in the EU, at a glance
Characteristic Value
High-risk opioid users 1 million
Opioid agonist treatment (number of people receiving) 511000
Opioids: share of drug treatment requests (%) 25
Other drugs: share of drug treatment requests (%) 75
Opioids: share of fatal overdoses (%) 74
Other drugs: share of fatal overdoses (%) 26

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