Findings and key figures

Findings

Globally, and at a European level, consumption of traditional drugs such as heroin and cocaine is generally stable.

One major and relatively new problem is the proliferation of New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs), which are largely unregulated.

In terms of drug use among the general population, the most commonly used substances in Luxembourg, after cannabis, are cocaine and ecstasy-type substances, with levels of use generally below EU averages.

Compared with their female counterparts, male consumers report higher rates of cannabis use across all age groups. The first use of illicit substances occurs mainly in the 15 to 19 age group, with the exception of heroin and cocaine, which are most often taken for the first time between the ages of 20 and 24.

Key figures

Drug use in Luxembourg

According to the 2021 annual report on 'L'état du phénomène de la drogue au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg' (The state of the drugs problem in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), the prevalence and prevalence rate of high-risk drug users are estimated to be:

• 2,162 people,
• 5.06 per thousand people from the national population aged between 15 and 64.

Since 2003, there has been a downward trend in the prevalence rate of high-risk drug users (illicit drugs) in Luxembourg.

The intravenous use of opioids and cocaine associated with widespread polydrug use is the most commonly observed behaviour among high-risk drug users in Luxembourg.

Overall, an increasing number of high-risk drug users are receiving specialised treatment or taking advantage of low-threshold services.

The mortality rate from overdosing on illegal drugs in Luxembourg is falling:

• 6 cases in 2020,
• 27 cases in 2007.

Within the European Union

Based on the most recent data, it is estimated that:

• 78.5 million adults (aged 15 to 64) have taken cannabis at least once during their lifetime,
• 13.8 million have taken cocaine,
• 10.4 million have taken ecstasy (MDMA),
• 8.7 million have taken amphetamines.

• 15.8 million adults (aged 15 to 64) have taken cannabis at least once during the past month,
• 3.5 million have taken cocaine,
• 2.6 million have taken ecstasy (MDMA),
• 2 million have taken amphetamines.

This data is provided by the European Union Drugs Agency in its European Drug Report 2021.

In the world

In 2019, an estimated 275 million people worldwide had used an illicit drug at least once during the past year.

Cannabis remains the most highly consumed illicit drug in the world:

• 200 million adults (aged 15 to 64) have taken cannabis at least once during the past year,
  
• 62 million have taken opioids,
• 27 million have taken amphetamines,
• 20 million have taken ecstasy (MDMA),
• 20 million have taken cocaine.

This data is provided by the UNODC in its World Drug Report 2021.