A startling new study has revealed that cocaine use in France nearly doubled in 2023, with 1.1 million people admitting to using the illegal drug at least once during the year. This surge represents a sharp rise from the 600,000 users previously reported in 2022, placing France seventh among European nations for cocaine consumption and spotlighting the nation’s growing drug problem.
Experts identify a range of factors driving the surge in cocaine use. Record levels of global cocaine production, which reached an unprecedented 2,700 tonnes in 2022, have resulted in wider availability. The drug’s image has also shifted, with cocaine increasingly perceived as less dangerous than in past decades. Harsh working conditions, particularly in industries such as catering and fishing, have further contributed to a rise in use, as individuals turn to cocaine to cope with stress. Additionally, the growing appeal of crack cocaine—a solid form of the drug—highlights the diversification of consumption habits.
The study notes that while the average price of cocaine remains steady at €66 per gram, its purity has climbed significantly, increasing from 46% in 2011 to 73% in 2023. This heightened potency raises concerns about health risks and addiction.
The extent of this crisis is reflected in escalating drug-related crime. French authorities are ramping up their efforts to tackle the issue, with seizures of cocaine skyrocketing from 23.5 tonnes in 2023 to nearly 47 tonnes in just the first 11 months of 2024. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has described drug trafficking as a national threat and vowed to intensify the crackdown on traffickers to alleviate the havoc created by drug-related crimes on communities.
The findings highlight a pressing need for coordinated action to address the impact of drug consumption on French society. For policymakers and the public alike, the call to combat the growing cocaine crisis has never been more urgent.
Source: France 24
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