Amphetamines use: divergent national situations
Amphetamine and methamphetamine, two closely related stimulants, are both consumed in Europe, although amphetamine is much more commonly used. Methamphetamine consumption has historically been restricted to the Czech Republic and, more recently, Slovakia, although recent years have seen increases in use in other countries. In some data sets, it is not possible to distinguish between these two substances; in these cases, the generic term amphetamines is used.
Both drugs can be taken orally or nasally; in addition, injection is common among high-risk users in some countries. Methamphetamine can also be smoked, but this route of administration is not commonly reported in Europe.
It is estimated that 12.5 million European adults (aged 15–64), or 3.8 % of this age group, have experimented with amphetamines at some time in their lives. Figures for more recent use, among the age group in which drug use is highest, suggest that 1.3 million (1.1 %) young adults (aged 15–34) used amphetamines during the last year, with the most recent national prevalence estimates ranging from 0.1 % in Cyprus, Portugal and Romania to 3.1 % in the Netherlands. The available data suggest that since around 2000, most European countries have experienced a relatively stable situation in respect to trends in use. Of the countries that have produced new surveys since 2014 and reported confidence intervals, 2 reported higher estimates, 10 reported a stable trend and 2 reported lower estimates than in the previous comparable survey.
A statistical analysis of trends in last year prevalence of amphetamines in young adults is only possible in a small number of countries. In Spain, Latvia and the United Kingdom long-term downward trends are observable. In contrast, Finland has seen prevalence increases since 2000.
Last year prevalence of amphetamines use among young adults (15–34): selected trends and most recent data (percent)
Analysis of municipal wastewater carried out in 2016 found that mass loads of amphetamine varied considerably across Europe, with the highest levels reported in cities in the north of Europe. Amphetamine was found at much lower levels in cities in the south of Europe. Of the 32 cities that have data for 2015 and 2016, 13 reported an increase, 9 a stable situation and 10 a decrease. Overall, the data from 2011 to 2016 showed relatively stable trends for amphetamine.
Amphetamine residues in wastewater in selected European cities: trends and most recent data
Mean daily amounts of amphetamine in milligrams per 1 000 population. Sampling was carried out in selected European cities over a week in 2016. Source: Sewage Analysis Core Group Europe (SCORE).
Methamphetamine use, generally low and historically concentrated in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, now appears to be present also in the east of Germany and northern Europe, particularly in cities in Finland. In 2015 and 2016, of the 30 cities that have data on methamphetamine in wastewater, 13 reported an increase, 10 a stable situation and 7 a decrease.
Methamphetamine residues in wastewater in selected European cities: trends and most recent data
Mean daily amounts of methamphetamine in milligrams per 1 000 population. Sampling was carried out in selected European cities over a week in 2016. Source: Sewage Analysis Core Group Europe (SCORE).