A significant increase in drug use is recorded in Cyprus, according to the Counselling Psychologist and director of the Drug Information and Treatment Center for Addicted Individuals (KENTHEA), Elena Zarouna.
In an interview, on the occasion of World Day Against Drugs, Ms. Zarouna, referring to the recent seizures of very large quantities of opiates, said that they foreshadow possible increases in opiate users in the coming period.
She spoke of an increase in the rates of users who manifest psychotic episodes, while she said that "for those of us who work on the front line, it is understood that younger and younger people are starting to use various substances".
She said that the threshold of their programs is now quite often crossed by children aged 14-15 with a serious usage profile.
Ms. Zarouna also noted that in addition to substance dependence, addiction to behaviours, such as gambling and online games, also takes on large dimensions.
She stressed the importance of prevention and mentioned that KENTHEA provides both preventive and therapeutic programs throughout Cyprus.
There is an increase in drug use in Cyprus
Ms. Zarouna said that according to data from the Cyprus Addictions Authority (Annual Review 2025) the percentage of people who have tried cannabis, even once in their lives, has tripled between the years 2006 and 2023, from 6.6% of people aged 15 to 64 to 18%.
A significant increase in these years has also been observed among people who have tried "ecstasy", cocaine and LSD, while in the case of amphetamines, where for a number of years there was a decrease, from 2019 to 2023, the rates seem to have risen again to 2006 levels, she added.
A decrease, she said, is observed in people who used heroin at least once in their lives.
Referring to the recent seizures of very large quantities of opiates, she said that they foreshadow possible increases in opiate users in the coming period.
"It is becoming clear that the drug market operates on the basis of the general principles of political economy, so the law of supply and demand applies," she said.
Ms. Zarouna said that the most recent and most representative research we have that enlightens us in relation to the actual use of substances at any given time is that of urban wastewater, which is carried out at regular intervals by the Nireas Institute of the University of Cyprus led by researcher Dr. Fatta-Kasinou.
According to the most recent urban wastewater survey, she added, the use of amphetamines in Limassol and Ayia Napa is 260% and 258% respectively, higher than in the previous measurement. In Ayia Napa methamphetamine use increased by 287%, while in Larnaca by 115%. In Larnaca there is also a 93% increase in cocaine levels, a 157% increase in MDMA levels, while ketamine is also making its appearance.
In Cyprus, said Ms. Zarouna, we have an early monitoring and warning system for drugs (SEP), which operates under the supervision of the Cyprus Addictions Authority (AAEK).
It is, she said, part of the corresponding European mechanism of the European Union Drug Agency (EUDA) and the competent state services such as YKAN, the General Chemical Laboratory, customs, hospitals, treatment programs, etc. participate in it.
"The goal is the early detection of new psychotropic substances. More broadly, it is noted that every year new psychotropic substances are detected at a rate of about one per week, with 50 new substances detected in Europe in 2025," she stressed.
Many times, said Ms. Zarouna, the consequences of their use and overdose remain unknown, with incalculable risks to the health of users.
"The rates of users who experience psychotic episodes have increased significantly in recent years as a result of the high content of a small amount of the substance in psychotropic components. Also, for those of us who work on the front line, it becomes clear that younger and younger people are starting to use various substances," she stressed.
She said that the threshold of their programs is now quite often crossed by children aged 14-15 with a serious user profile and involvement in various illegal activities and/or victimization to secure their dose.
Social/psychological causes
As Ms. Zarouna mentioned, the development of addiction disorder is due to a number of factors and, like most mental health disorders, follows the biopsychosocial model.
The etiology combines both biological, psychological and social factors.
"Research over time identifies risk factors for the development of addictions, as well as protective factors. Risk factors include early school leaving/school failure, a history of abuse, a history of a person in the family with addictions, inadequate parental control, positive attitudes towards use, and high availability in the environment," she said.
In addition, she said, there are psychological factors that contribute to the use of substances such as certain personality traits, but also the simultaneous presence of some other psychological disorder.
Addiction to Gambling and Online Gaming
Ms. Zarouna also referred to gambling addiction.
"Nowadays, in addition to substance dependence, addiction to behaviours, such as gambling and online games, is also taking on great proportions. The integration of gambling mechanisms into online games, which are involved in very young children, such as opening boxes that may or may not give a gift to the child and roulette mechanisms are expected to cause chain problems," she stressed.
She said that familiarity with these mechanisms and their silent acceptance by the family without comment, creates the next generation of teenagers who in a very few years are expected to manifest addiction to electronic games and gambling/gambling in large numbers.
At the same time, she said, "we also need to point out the increase in the use of e-cigarettes especially among teenagers and especially among girls. The promotion of these products with the use of colours, fruit aromas and modern design has made them very attractive, leading more and more children to use them."
The importance of prevention
Ms. Zarouna stressed the importance of prevention. It becomes clear, she said, that all levels of prevention need to be implemented.
"Universal prevention programs for the entire population and especially for parents, selective prevention programs for children of vulnerable groups but also environmental prevention measures such as new legislative measures (especially for the uncontrolled use of technology), and implementation of existing legislation such as those for the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products and alcohol to minors, ban on smoking in closed spaces, hospitals, schools, etc., and entry into agencies for minors".
She mentioned that KENTHEA has operated during the school year 2025-2026 an information campaign for parents in collaboration with the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute (several of the seminars have been posted on the KENTHEA youtube page).
Also, KENTHEA will provide training for academy football coaches, as part of the Beyond the Game addiction prevention program, which will be offered in the Fall of 2026.
The organization cooperates with the National Guard and with the funding of AAEK provides psychosocial support services to national guardsmen throughout Cyprus.
An important part of the action of KENTHEA concerns the provision of services to children of vulnerable groups through the programs "I deserve an Opportunity" with the ITHACA station of the Municipality of South Nicosia-Dali, Dim. Apartment. Tseri, Mathiatis, Agia Varvara and Sias and "Responsibility of all of us to be well" with ODYSSEA Limassol station.
Also, preventive programs are provided at the ACHILLEA station of the Municipalities of Ayia Napa-Paralimni-Deryneia and the communities of Xylotymbou, Xylofagos and Ormidia.
Treatment options and programs
Ms. Zarouna said that the Cyprus Addictions Authority works with governmental and non-governmental bodies and on its website any citizen can find the available programs by city.
She mentioned that KENTHEA provides both preventive and therapeutic programs throughout Cyprus, while a new pan-Cypriot intensive rehabilitation program for detoxification from illegal substances and alcohol under the name "ACHILLEION" based in Paralimni has recently started its operation.
The program is provided free of charge to patients and their families, in its main phase it requires daily presence from 9.30am to 3.30pm, while it provides food and transport to facilitate the patients. The program is licensed by the Cyprus Addictions Authority and is financially supported by allwyn.
Other therapeutic programs provided by KENTHEA are FAROS in Limassol and Motivation in Paralimni which offer services to people who face problematic gambling involvement, in Paphos the program of Tolmi Paphos for minors and adults, as well as the ODYSSEUS, ITHACA and ACHILLEAS stations, while the MESOGEOS program provides self-help groups in Larnaca.
Also, the telephone line 1422 operates for problematic gambling involvement.
