- EN
Nearly a quarter of all Europeans, or around 71 million (15–64 years), have tried cannabis in their lifetime, and around 7 % (23 million) have used it in the last year — making it still Europe’s most commonly consumed illicit drug. But, in some important markets, there are now 'stronger signals' of the drug’s waning popularity, reinforcing the analysis presented in last year’s Annual report.
Around 17.5 million young Europeans(15–34 years) are estimated to have used cannabis in the last year. Latest national survey data on last-year cannabis use in this age group reveal a stabilisation or decline in the majority of reporting countries, with on average 13 % of young adults using the drug in the last year. Lifetime and heavy cannabis use among 15-year-old school students in most EU countries also appears to be stable or declining. In the UK, a country that used to stand out for its high levels of cannabis use, a steady downward trend is visible in population surveys,especially in younger cohorts.
'Trends in the numbers of regular and intensive cannabis users, however, may move independently of cannabis prevalence among the general population', said EMCDDA Director Wolfgang Götz. Some 4 million European adults (15–64 years) are estimated to be using cannabis on a daily or almost daily basis. Among the estimated 160 000 new demands for treatment for drug problems reported in 2006, cannabis clients represented the second largest group (28 %) after heroin (35 %).
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Drugnet Europe is the EMCDDA's newsletter launched in September 1996. The newsletter provides regular and succint information on the Centre's projects and activities to a broad readership.
