Surge in hard drug use in France

A sharp rise in consumption

France is experiencing a significant increase in the consumption of hard drugs. According to recent reports, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy are being used more and more.

Cocaine: A rising rate

Between 2010 and 2022, emergency room visits related to cocaine tripled, reaching 23,335 cases. In 2022, about 72 emergency visits per week were recorded. Men averaging 32 years old represent 75% of cases. The most affected regions are Guyane (44.1 per 100,000), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (40.8), and Occitanie (27).

Polyconsumption and complications

33% of cocaine users also present alcohol intoxication. Benzodiazepines (9.6%), cannabis (9.5%), and opioids (4.8%) are often consumed simultaneously. Complications include cardiac problems (chest pain, tachycardia) and psychiatric issues (anxiety, schizophrenia).

Increase in seizures and production

Cocaine seizures reached record levels, with 27 tons intercepted in 2021, up 44%. Global cocaine production has also increased, contributing to greater availability on the European market.

Soaring consumption

In 2023, nearly one in ten adults (9.4%) in France had used cocaine at least once in their lifetime, compared to 5.6% in 2017. Current use, defined as consumption in the past 12 months, has followed an exponential trajectory, increasing tenfold from 1992 (0.3%) to 2023 (2.7%). This dramatic rise reflects a worrying trend of the democratization and normalization of cocaine in French society.

Aging cannabis users

For three decades, cannabis has remained the most consumed illicit drug in France. With a price ranging between 8 and 10 euros per gram, its experimentation rate rose from 12.7% in 1992 to 50.4% in 2023, meaning 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 users, with more and more adults aged 40 and over continuing their use.

The explosion of heroin consumption

Heroin use in France has also seen a notable increase. Data show a rise in seizures, with a record quantity of 1.5 tons seized in 2021. In 2023, 0.8% of adults had used heroin at least once in their lifetime, compared to 0.3% in 1992. This sharp rise highlights a worrying spread of this hard drug’s use.

Ecstasy: Growing popularity

Ecstasy consumption is also increasing. In 2023, 5.6% of adults had tried this drug, compared to 3.1% in 2017. Recent use (in the past 12 months) rose from 0.9% in 2017 to 1.6% in 2023. This increase reflects ecstasy’s growing popularity, especially among young adults.

Ketamine, GHB, and 3MMC

The study by the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Behaviors (OFDT) now includes ketamine, GHB/GBL, and 3MMC. In 2023, ketamine experimentation reached 2.6% among adults aged 18 to 64, mostly young adults aged 25 to 34 (4.8%). This drug, sold as powder or crystals for 40 euros per gram, is often purchased on the "darknet." For 3MMC and GHB/GBL, experimentation rates are below 1%, but these substances are popular in "chemsex" practices to amplify sexual pleasure and endurance.

Conclusion

The rise in hard drug consumption in France, notably cocaine, cannabis, heroin, ecstasy, ketamine, GHB, and 3MMC, highlights an urgent need to strengthen prevention efforts. On ama-prevention.fr, you will find essential tools and resources to raise awareness and prevent these uses, support people in difficulty, and guide them to support structures. Fighting the normalization of these substances requires better information and collective mobilization.