The project analysed wastewater in a record 128 European cities from 26 countries (24 EU, Türkiye + Norway) to explore the drug-taking behaviours of their inhabitants. The study analysed daily wastewater samples in the catchment areas of wastewater treatment plants over a one-week period between March and May 2024. Wastewater samples from some 68.8 million people were analysed for traces of five stimulant drugs (amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA/ecstasy and ketamine) as well as cannabis.
While rises were seen in the detections of three of the stimulants (MDMA, cocaine, amphetamine), diverging patterns were observed for methamphetamine and ketamine. Despite results varying considerably across the study locations, it is noteworthy that all six illicit drugs investigated were found in almost every participating city. Less divergence is seen in drug-taking habits between large and small cities for some drugs.
The SCORE group has been conducting annual wastewater monitoring campaigns since 2011, when 19 cities from 10 countries participated and four stimulant drugs were studied. Seventy-six cities have participated in at least five of the annual wastewater monitoring campaigns since 2011, allowing for time trend analyses.
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- Key findings per drug
- City variations
- Weekly patterns
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