EU Wastewater Study Reveals Rising Cocaine and Ketamine Use Across Europe
A major wastewater study across 115 European cities has shown increased cocaine and ketamine use while MDMA levels drop, highlighting changing drug trends
Key Points
- 1Wastewater from 115 cities in 25 European countries was analyzed for drug biomarkers
- 2Cocaine and ketamine use spiked on weekends, while MDMA levels declined overall
- 3All tested illicit drugs were found in nearly every city, with regional variations
- 4OG Lab sees this as a significant step in monitoring and understanding drug trends
A sweeping new analysis of wastewater in 115 European cities has revealed shifting drug consumption patterns, with cocaine and ketamine use on the rise while MDMA levels decline. The study, conducted by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) and involving the SCORE group, represents the most comprehensive wastewater research to date, providing a unique look into illicit drug trends across 25 countries
Researchers collected samples over a week in each city between March and May 2025, analyzing urinary biomarkers for a range of substances including amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA, cocaine, and cannabis. According to the findings, 'more than 75% of the cities showed higher concentrations of cocaine and MDMA on weekends compared to weekdays.' Ketamine followed a similar weekend spike in about half of the cities, while cannabis, amphetamine, and methamphetamine appeared to be consumed more steadily throughout the week
Despite some limitations—such as the inability to identify specific user groups or determine drug purity—the study provides valuable insight into drug use trends. 'Even if it’s not a perfect methodology (we doubt such a thing exists), this study provides valuable information on drug use trends in Europe,' the report notes. The analysis also highlighted that all tested illicit drugs were detected in nearly every city, though concentrations varied widely by region
From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this large-scale wastewater analysis signals a notable shift in Europe's urban drug landscape and offers a data-driven approach to tracking substance use. As more regions adopt similar monitoring techniques, the findings could inform public health initiatives and policy discussions across the cannabis and broader drug sectors. This study underscores the importance of scientific innovation for understanding and responding to evolving drug trends