Use of amphetamine, cocaine increases in 2018: THL

The amount of amphetamine used in Finland reached an unprecedented level in 2018, according to a study of the National Institute for Health and Welfare’s (THL).

“Amphetamine is one of the most consumed drugs throughout Finland. The consumption level of 2018 is the highest national level recorded in a wastewater study,” said Teemu Gunnar, Head of Forensic Toxicology Unit at THL.

The use of cocaine has also kept increasing, particularly in the large cities of Southern Finland. Between 2012 and 2018, cocaine consumption has increased manifold.

“For example, the amount of cocaine used in the Capital Region has reached the level of ecstasy, whereas the consumption of ecstasy has stabilised. Outside of the large cities of Southern Finland, the use of cocaine is still remarkably less common,” said Aino Kankaanpää, Development Manager at THL.

When comparing Finland to the countries of Central Europe – or to other Nordic countries – cocaine’s relative share of total drug consumption continues to be rather low.

The use of methamphetamine, however, has declined.

“Last year, the use of methamphetamine kept declining from the peak levels of 2016 in most cities, returning to the lower levels measured before 2016. However, remarkable regional differences and temporal variance can still be detected in methamphetamine consumption,” Kankaanpää said.

The use of stimulant drugs has increased and a significant increase has been observed in the total consumption of stimulant drugs in a longer interval.

“The overall amount of stimulant drugs used in Finland has increased considerably since 2012 which is the year when the systematic study of drug abuse through wastewater analysis began on the level of the entire population,” said Gunnar.

The study was participated in by 23 cities

The consumption levels of drugs are measured from wastewater generated by the largest cities. In 2018, the study was participated in by 23 cities and the areas surrounding them. Nine of these cities participated in the study for the first time.

The population base of the study covers 55% of the entire population of Finland.