European Web Survey on Drugs 2021: top level findings, 21 EU countries and Switzerland

In summary

• Most survey respondents (93 %) reported using cannabis during the previous 12 months, 35 % used MDMA/ecstasy, 35 % cocaine and 28 % amphetamine.
• The most commonly reported motivations for cannabis use were relaxation, getting high and aiding sleep.
• Home was reported as the most common setting for drug use during the period.
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and national measures was reported to be greatest on the use of cannabis (increased consumption) and ecstasy/MDMA (decreased consumption).

Drug use patterns

Most survey respondents (93 %) reported that they had used cannabis during the previous 12 months, with little variation between countries.

MDMA/ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamine were the next most reported illicit substances, with the order of the three drugs varying by country.  

One fifth (20 %) of the sample reported using LSD in the last year while 16 % reported use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and 13 % use of ketamine during the period. Heroin use was reported by 3 % of 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 for its calming and euphoric effects, specifically to reduce stress or to relax, to get high or for fun and to improve sleep. For MDMA, euphoric and socialising effects are reported as motivations.

Motivation for use may shed some light on the reported decrease in MDMA use by respondents during this period, characterised by a COVID-19-related lockdown, when many people were confined to their homes and access to venues for socialising was reduced. 

 

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

By far the most commonly reported setting for drug use in the last 12 months was the home, mentioned by more than 85 % of the respondents. Home use would be expected to be predominant, though 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 the COVID-19 pandemic on drug use

When asked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their use of illicit drugs, respondents reported mixed experiences. Herbal cannabis is reported to have been used more, while MDMA, cocaine and amphetamines were used less.

Although the sample reporting heroin use was small, a notable proportion of these respondents reported increased use of heroin during the period.

 

The source data for this graphic are available in Table 4 on this page.

Notes

(¹) The analysis here covers 21 EU countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden. Switzerland was also included in the analysis.
The web survey was also carried out in Albania, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia as part of the EMCDDA IPA7 project and in Georgia, Ukraine and Lebanon as part of the EMCDDA EU4MD project. Factsheets covering these countries are published separately.
* Kosovo: This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

While web surveys are not representative of the general population, when 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. 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 dedicated page on the European Web Survey on Drugs.

Source data

Below you can find the source data tables used for the graphics on this page.

Table 1. Last year prevalence (n = 48469)

	% of respondents
Alcohol	94
Cannabis	93
Tobacco	84
MDMA/ecstasy	35
Cocaine	34
Amphetamine	28
LSD	20
NPS	16
Ketamine	13
Methamphetamine	9
Heroin	3

Table 2a. Motivation for herbal cannabis use in the last 12 months (n = 33718)

	% of respondents
To reduce stress/relax	78
To get high/for fun	70
To improve sleep	51
To treat depression/ anxiety	39
To socialise	35
To reduce pain/ inflammations	24
To enhance performance (school/work/sport/etc.)	15
Out of curiosity/ to experiment	10
Other	5

Table 2b. Motivation for MDMA/ecstasy use in the last 12 months (n = 10675)

	% of respondents
To get high/for fun	87
To socialise	41
Out of curiosity/to experiment	24
To reduce stress/relax	22
To treat depression/anxiety	14
Other	7
To enhance performance (school/work/sport/etc.)	3
To improve sleep	1
To reduce pain/inflammations	1

Table 3. Settings for drug use in last 12 months (n = 48469)

Setting	% of respondents
Home	89
Public space (street, park, etc.)	54
Music festival or party	43
Club or bar	33
Work	12
School/university/training facility	11
Drug consumption room	2
Other	6

Table 4. Has the COVID-19 pandemic had any impact on your drug use? (% of respondents)

Substance	I use less	I use the same	I use more	Don't know/No answer
Ecstasy/MDMA	42	29	11	18
Cocaine powder	33	29	18	20
Amphetamine	29	33	18	20
Cannabis resin	25	38	21	16
Methamphetamine	25	33	17	25
Crack cocaine	23	36	25	16
New psychoactive substances (NPS)	22	35	25	18
Herbal cannabis	20	38	32	10
Heroin	17	40	26	17