Drug use in the European Union 2020, by type of drug

Cannabis is by far the most used drug across the population of the European Union, with over a quarter using at some point during in lifetime. Followed by cocaine which five percent have used in their life and then MDMA with 3.7 percent of individuals having used.

Highest users of cannabis Europe

Spain and France had the highest prevalence of cannabis use among adults in Europe in 2019, with eleven percent of their populations consuming cannabis. This was followed by Italy with 10.2 percent of the population using cannabis, and then the Netherlands had a 9.6 percent share of cannabis users.

Dangerous side to drugs

In 2018, 48 percent of those who died as a result of drug use in Europe were aged between 40 and 64 years, while 38 percent of drug deaths were among 25 to 39 year olds. Sweden was the country in Europe with the highest incidence of drug deaths in 2018 at 81 per million population.