On 12 November, European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) published the results of the first Drug Survey on how people across Europe view drugs, their impact and how society should respond.
The EUDA surveyed 95 883 people (aged 15 and over) in 35 European countries, including respondents in the 27 EU countries. The survey examines how people view drug-related problems, risks, drug availability, and different policy responses.
In the EU (76 766 respondents from the 27 EU countries):
- 60% see drug trafficking and drug use as serious problems in their local area
- 49% believe drug trafficking has increased locally in the last five years
- Only 14% think drug trafficking has gone down
The level of concern varies between countries – from 44% seeing drug use as a serious local problem in Denmark to 78% in Cyprus. Perceptions of whether trafficking is increasing also differ: 67% in Cyprus believe it has increased locally over the past five years, compared with 38% in Denmark and Lithuania.
Explore the results for each country and survey questions in the Data Explorer.
Children in drug trafficking and mental health top concerns
The involvement of children and teenagers in drug trafficking is the most common drug-related public safety concern in the EU, mentioned by 30% of respondents. Other major concerns are drug-related violence (27%) and driving under the influence of drugs (26%).
Mental health problems are seen as the main public health issue linked to drugs, reported by 39% of people.
Cannabis is seen as much easier to obtain than other drugs
Almost half of respondents in the EU (48%) say cannabis would be easy to obtain within 24 hours. Around one third say the same for cocaine and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
Younger people are more likely to see all drugs easy to get.
Tackling drug trafficking
When asked how to tackle drug trafficking, people in the EU prioritise enforcement: 39% support tougher measures against traffickers and 37% support dismantling criminal networks.
Views on reducing problems linked to drug use are more mixed. In the EU, 45% favour stronger police action against trafficking and distribution, while 43% support helping people with addiction to reintegrate into work and everyday life.
Find out more
First EUDA Drug Survey: 6 in 10 in the EU see drug trafficking and drug use as serious problems
