The increasing trend in the use and availability of cannabis in Cyprus, as well as the expansion of cocaine and methamphetamine, are recorded in the European Drug Report 2026, the findings of which were presented on Tuesday in Nicosia, at a press conference hosted by the Cyprus Addictions Authority.
In 2024, eight direct deaths due to overuse were recorded, while the historical high of direct deaths from overuse was 17 deaths and was recorded in 2020.
The President of the Cyprus Addictions Authority, Dr. Christos Mina, stated that "cannabis is the most potent drug available and used in the general population, while we are seeing increased action and expansion of cocaine and methamphetamine in all their forms." Mr. Mina further said that "we highlight the new synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids and the nitazines and orfins from the synthetic opioids. And we remain, in conclusion, in multi-use, combined use, high purity and potency, but mainly in the unknown of what the user takes, hence the risks to his personal and public health."
According to the findings of a survey presented by the Head of the Monitoring Department of the National Documentation and Information Centre for Drugs (EKTEPN) of the Cyprus Addictions Authority, Ioanna Yiasemi, there is a change of scenery in the substances of use. While historically (2004–2021) the vast majority of deaths were due to the presence of opioids, in the years 2022 and 2024 all deaths were due solely to the presence of other substances. Furthermore, the percentage of intravenous users who were retested and found positive for Hepatitis C remains at high levels, specifically at 45.2% for 2024.
Hemp
According to the research, trends in cannabis use and availability have shown a clear upward trend in recent years. Cannabis use in the general population "even once in a lifetime" recorded a continuous increase, reaching 18% in 2023 (from 6.6% in 2006, 12.1% in 2016 and 14.1% in 2019).
The highest percentage of cannabis use "even once in a lifetime" is observed in the 25–34 age group (27% in 2023), followed by 15–24 year olds (21.8% in 2023).
In the student population, "at least once in a lifetime" use fell to 8% in 2024 (10% for boys, 6.8% for girls), marking a slight decline from the high 9% recorded in 2019.
In contrast, among college students, the prevalence of cannabis use is much higher, with 32% reporting use at least once, 18% in the last year and 11% in the last month. The seized quantities of herbal cannabis by YKAN have seen an explosive rise in recent years, reaching 554.2 kg in 2023 and a historic high of 617 kg in 2024.
Cocaine and methamphetamine
According to the survey, stimulants are showing an alarming increase, with Larnaca emerging as a hotspot for high concentrations.
Cocaine use even once in the general population was at 2.2% in 2023. In wastewater (2025 data), although Cyprus remains at lower levels than other European countries, Larnaca records the highest concentration (about 135 mg/1000p/day), followed by Ayia Napa and Nicosia. Among students, 4.3% reported use at least once, 2.2% in the last year and 1.5% in the last month. Cocaine seizures amounted to 52.1 kg in 2024. The all-time high of cocaine seizures was 182.3 kg in 2016.
"We are not at the top of Europe, but we have an increase. There has been an increase in treatment requests and problems with public health, as well as increased crime and violence," said the President of the Cyprus Addictions Authority, Dr. Christos Mina.
In methamphetamine use, while a decrease is recorded in Limassol, strong local increases are observed. Larnaca has by far the highest daily concentration in wastewater (over 60 mg/1000p/day), followed by Ayia Napa.
Methamphetamine seizures, after a high of 8.5 kg in 2023, fell to 0.5 kg in 2024.
Treatment Requests
According to the findings of the study presented in the report, the total number of people in treatment (regardless of substance) reached 1,531 people in 2024. This is the highest number recorded since 2004. The increase is attributed to the real rise in the problem, the greater availability of treatment programs, the reduction of stigma and the implementation of the referral protocol for young arrested by YKAN.
In 2024, 328 people started treatment, who used cannabis (a total of 522 people including those who continued from the previous year). A further 184 people started treatment from cocaine use in 2024 (a total of 276 people in the program) and 73 people started treatment in 2024 from methamphetamine use (a total of 122 people).
Treatment requests with opioids (e.g. heroin) as the main substance of use are steadily decreasing. Only 82 people started treatment in 2024 (compared to 399 in 2007). The estimated number of problem opioid users decreased to 817 in 2024 (147 Cypriots and 514 foreigners).
CNA
