According to theUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), there are at least 219 million cannabis users worldwide . Of these, 13% live in Europe, representing more than 29 million people .
The consumption of this so-called soft drug has a very significant impact on the European population.
Who are the biggest drug users in Europe?
According to a report recently published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the number of cannabis users in the world is around 219 million individuals.
According to the same report, 13% live in Europe, representing 29 million users. The report concludes that this so-called soft drug has a very significant impact on this segment of the European population.
In other words, cannabis is the most widely used drug in most European countries, including France. Indeed, only six countries in Europe consume other drugs. In Montenegro, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Belarus, opioids are the most prevalent.
In contrast, in Poland and Hungary, the population is more interested in pharmaceutical tranquilizers and sedatives.
Furthermore, it is observed that the prevalence of cannabis use reaches record highs in certain European Union (EU) countries. Among these countries, the Czech Republic tops the list with a rate of 11.1%, followed by Spain at 10.6%, the Netherlands at 10.4%, Croatia at 10.2%, and Italy at 10.2%.
Next comes Germanywith a prevalence of 8.8%, followed by Finland at 8.2%.
Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that cannabis use particularly affects young people. According to statistics, 15.3 million cannabis users last year were young people between the ages of 15 and 34.That said, men are generally half as likely to admit to women that they have used cannabis.
It is also noted that more than 8.6 million people aged 15 to 24 used cannabis during May 2023. The prevalence of cannabis use in this age group is once again highest in the Czech Republic, reaching 22.9%. Italy ranks second with a rate of 20.9%, followed by France at 19.2%, the Netherlands at 19.2% , and Spain at 19.1%.
In Europe, the number of individuals receiving treatment for cannabis use exceeded 97,000 in 2021.This means, among other things, that more than a third of admissions for this treatment are due to cannabis use. Of these, 83% are male, while 17% are female.
The vast majority of the population surveyed stated that they consume this illegal drug daily.
Finally, it should be noted that this figure could increase further, particularly with the arrival on the European market of new cannabis-derived products. Some of these contain high levels of THC (the addictive substance).
Source :
https://econostrum.info/cannabis-drogue-consommee-europe/.
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