June 1, 2016.
The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) reveals in a report, published Tuesday, May 31, that cannabis use has increased in recent years.
More and more cannabis users
16.6 million young Europeans aged 15 to 34 have used cannabis in the last twelve months. This is the observation made by the EMCDDA in a damning report on drug use in Europe.
” The number of people admitted for the first time to treatment for cannabis-related problems increased from 45,000 in 2006 to 70,000 in 2014 Write the authors of the report. ” An evolution linked to the intensification of use, the availability of more dangerous products … but also a greater offer of care and support services. “
They are 83.2 million to have used cannabis in their lifetime. Currently, 1 in 100 European adults use cannabis daily or almost daily.
Ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamine market in shape
But young people don’t just use cannabis. What were once considered to be ” hard drugs Seems to be more and more accessible. 2.1 million young Europeans aged 15 to 34 have used MDMA or “ ecstasy »In the last twelve months, 2.4 million used cocaine and 1.3 million amphetamines.
” Europe faces growing drug problems », Notes Dimitris Avramopoulos, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, quoted in the study. ” The supply of and demand for new psychoactive substances, stimulants, heroin and other opiates continue to increase, resulting in major consequences in terms of public health “.
If cannabis also accounts for three quarters of drug seizures in Europe, the increase in the consumption of other drugs is indeed extremely worrying. 6,800 overdose deaths were recorded in the EU in 2014.
Read also: Cannabis: are we well informed?