New psychoactive substance use: low in the general population

A number of countries have included new psychoactive substances in their general population surveys, although different methods and survey questions limit comparisons between countries. Since 2011, 11 European countries have reported national estimates of the use of new psychoactive substances (not including ketamine and GHB). For young adults (aged 15–34), last year prevalence of use of these substances ranges from 0.3 % in Austria, to 1.6 % in the Czech Republic and Ireland.

Survey data on the use of mephedrone are available for the United Kingdom (England and Wales). In the most recent survey (2015/16), last year use of this drug among 16- to 34-year-olds was estimated at 0.5 %; down from 1.1 % in 2014/15.

A small number of surveys include questions on the use of synthetic cannabinoids. Last year use of synthetic cannabinoids among 15- to 34-year-olds was estimated at 1.5 % in Latvia and 0.4 % in Slovakia in 2015 and at 0.1 % in Finland in 2014. Also in 2014, an estimated 4 % of 18- to 34-year-olds in France reported having ever used synthetic cannabinoids.