Pafos Press 20 March 2025
An increase in MDMA, cocaine and amphetamine detections compared to 2023 and a decrease in cannabis is shown by a pan-European wastewater analysis survey, carried out in spring 2024, revealing interesting data on drug consumption in 128 cities from 26 European countries, including Cyprus. The results published on Wednesday 19 March by the European Drugs Agency (EUDA) show that in Cyprus, cannabis and cocaine use is significant, but remains lower than the European average. According to a statement from the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority (CATA), this study is based on the chemical analysis of urban wastewater from the cities that participated in the study, and the results for Cyprus result from the collaboration of the Nireas International Water Research Center of the University of Cyprus with CATA.
The significant findings for Cyprus include an increase in cocaine in Larnaca, a small increase in methamphetamine in Nicosia and Larnaca and a strong increase in cannabis in the Famagusta district. For Paphos, it appears that the most prevalent drug compared to other districts is amphetamine and crystan. The study also highlights weekly patterns of consumption, with higher use of recreational substances on weekends. Notably, although the research is extensive and thorough, there are no individual indicators recorded for cannabis use in the regions of Cyprus compared to other countries. As for the various categories of drugs per province, they are as follows: Cocaine In cocaine use, Limassol is the first with an index of 97.33, followed by the Free Zone of Famagusta with 46.45, Nicosia with 43.52, Paphos with 41.18 and lastly Larnaca with 38.79. Amphetamine Paphos leads the list for amphetamine with 9.42, followed by the Ayia Napa area with 8.01, while Limassol with 6.66, Larnaca with 6.5 and Nicosia with 5.77 complete the list. Methamphetamine Paphos also leads the list in the use of methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth. It is first on the list with 16.56, followed by Larnaca with 16.52 and Limassol with 15.9, Nicosia with 10.82 and Famagusta with 5.08. MDMA (ecstasy) In MDMA, the well-known drug ecstasy, Limassol holds the lead with 6.81, followed by Famagusta with 4.53 and then we find Paphos with 1.69, Nicosia with 1.62 and Larnaca with 1.4. Ketamine In ketamine, also known as the party drug (club drug), Limassol is again first with a reading of 3.5 while Paphos follows with 1.28 with the three other areas showing zero readings due to low rates detected. The measurement, according to the research, refers to quantities of detected substances (in milligrams – mg) per 1,000 residents per day. That is, it shows how many mg of a substance were detected in the wastewater for every 1,000 residents in one day in each city.