European Web Survey on Drugs 2021: Emerging findings in Georgia
Introduction
The European Web Survey on Drugs collected data during March to May 2021 from people who use drugs, are aged 18 or older and live in Georgia. In this period, the populations in many European and neighbouring countries were experiencing COVID-19-related lockdown or restrictions. Unless otherwise indicated, the data presented here refer to 396 respondents who reported having used at least one illicit drug during the last 12 months prior to the survey (last 12 months of use) and live in Georgia.

In summary
- Most survey respondents (97 %) reported using cannabis during the previous 12 months. A total of 55 % had used MDMA/ecstasy, 34 % LSD and 30 % ketamine.
- The most commonly reported motivations for almost all substances were getting high and relaxation.
- Home was reported as the most common setting for drug use during the period.
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and national measures were reported to be greatest on the use of cannabis (increased consumption) and MDMA/ecstasy (decreased consumption).
Drug use patterns
Most survey respondents (97 %) reported that they had used cannabis during the previous 12 months. MDMA/ecstasy (55 %), LSD (34 %) and ketamine (30 %) were the next most used illicit substances, followed by new psychoactive substances (NPS) (24 %), amphetamine (23 %) or cocaine (22 %). Methamphetamine use was reported by 12 % and heroin use by 11 % of the respondents.
The source data for this graphic are available in Table 1 on this page.
Motivation for drug use
The motivations to use particular drugs often reflect the effects users expect when they use them. The survey responses suggest herbal cannabis is taken to reduce stress and relax, to get high or for fun, to improve sleep, and to treat depression or anxiety. The motivations reported for MDMA use were euphoric effects and to reduce stress.
Figure 2a. Motivation for (herbal) cannabis use in the last year (n = 239)
The source data for this graphic are available in Table 2a on this page.
The source data for this graphic are available in Table 2b on this page.
Settings for drug use
The most commonly reported setting for drug use in the last 12 months was the home, which was mentioned by 79 % of the respondents. Home use would be expected to be predominant. This pattern may have been accentuated by the reduced mobility resulting from COVID-19 lockdowns.
The source data for this graphic are available in Table 3 on this page.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on drug use
Respondents reported mixed experiences when they were asked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their use of illicit drugs. Cannabis resin and herbal cannabis were reported to have been used more, while MDMA and methamphetamine were used less.
The source data for this graphic are available in Table 4 on this page.
Notes
(1) The analysis here covers Georgia, where the web survey was carried out as part of the EU4Monitoring Drugs (EU4MD) project, funded by the European Union. While web surveys are not representative of the general population, when they are carefully conducted and combined with traditional data collection methods they can help paint a more detailed, realistic and timely picture of drug use and drug markets in Europe and the European neighbourhood. As such, they are a key ingredient in the EMCDDA’s responsiveness to an ever-shifting drugs problem.
For more detailed information on the project, please see our webpage on the European Web Survey on Drugs.
The European Web Survey on Drugs in Georgia was implemented by the Addiction Research Center – Alternative Georgia and the National Drug Observatory of Georgia in the framework of the EU4Monitoring Drugs project, financed by the European Union. This document was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
Source data
Below you can find the source data tables used for the graphics on this page.
% of respondents | |
---|---|
Cannabis | 97 |
Alcohol | 94 |
Tobacco | 90 |
MDMA/ecstasy | 55 |
LSD | 34 |
Ketamine | 30 |
NPS | 24 |
Amphetamine | 23 |
Cocaine | 22 |
Methamphetamine | 12 |
Heroin | 11 |
% of respondents | |
---|---|
To reduce |
70 |
To get high/for fun | 69 |
To improve sleep | 35 |
To treat depression /anxiety |
34 |
To socialise | 16 |
To enhance performance (school, work, sport, etc.) |
16 |
To reduce pain/inflammation | 14 |
Out of curiosity /to experiment |
5 |
Other | 4 |
% of respondents | |
---|---|
To get high/for fun | 83 |
To reduce stress/relax |
39 |
To socialise | 14 |
To treat depression /anxiety |
12 |
Out of curiosity /to experiment |
7 |
To reduce pain /inflammation |
3 |
To enhance performance (school, work, sport, etc.) |
2 |
Setting | % of respondents |
---|---|
Home | 79 |
Club or bar | 66 |
Music festival or party | 65 |
Public space (street, park, etc.) | 31 |
Work | 14 |
School/university/training facility | 4 |
Drug consumption room | 3 |
Chemsex site | 3 |
Substance | I use less | I use the same | I use more | Don't know/No answer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ecstasy/MDMA | 66 | 16 | 9 | 9 |
Cocaine powder | 42 | 18 | 12 | 28 |
NPS | 36 | 18 | 32 | 14 |
Amphetamine | 36 | 32 | 14 | 18 |
Heroin | 30 | 45 | 5 | 20 |
Cannabis resin | 30 | 28 | 40 | 2 |
Herbal cannabis | 18 | 42 | 35 | 5 |