The British capital is the ‘cocaine capital of Europe’, with a higher use of the drug than any other city on the continent, according to a new report.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction analysed daily wastewater samples from 40 cities across 21 countries and measuring the levels of illicit drugs and their metabolites excreted in urine in the European Drug Report 2014.
Interestingly, while peak drug usage in most cities in the analysis was on the weekend, the highest rates of cocaine use were found to be on Tuesday in London.
In general terms, the researchers found that cocaine and ecstasy use greatest in western and some southern European cities, while other drugs like crystal meth were still found to be popular in eastern European cities such as Prague.
The report also warns of the emergence of new drugs that a commonly sold as ‘legal highs’, often over the internet.
Discussing then report, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström said:
“I am deeply concerned that the drugs consumed in Europe today may be even more damaging to users’ health than in the past. There are signs that the ecstasy and cannabis sold on the street are getting stronger. I also note that the EU Early Warning System, our first line of defence against emerging drugs, is coming under growing pressure as the number and diversity of substances continue to rise sharply. The system has already reviewed this year four new substances linked to acute intoxications and deaths in the Member States.”
