Finland cocaine use increases nationwide according to wastewater study

A wastewater study conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reveals that cocaine use has increased across nearly all of Finland. While the highest levels of consumption remain in the major cities of Southern Finland and the capital region, the most significant growth is now being observed in other parts of the country. This upward trend in cocaine use has been consistent since 2012.

Regarding other substances, amphetamine use has remained stable, while ecstasy (MDMA) use appears to be declining. The synthetic drug alpha-PVP, which has been classified as a narcotic in Finland since late 2013, shows a stabilization in use. Although the rapid growth of alpha-PVP has slowed, consumption levels remain high and are heavily concentrated in Southern and Western Finland, particularly around the capital region.

The study, which covers approximately 65 percent of the Finnish population across more than 30 cities, highlights that synthetic drugs like alpha-PVP exhibit greater temporal and regional fluctuations compared to traditional narcotics.