Cocaine use in Belgium has risen sharply in recent years, according to a new report by the public health institute Sciensano.
Sciensano’s Illegal Drugs Unit used a variety of data types, including treatment requests, drug possession offences, and drug concentration in wastewater. Cocaine treatment requests increased from 2,500 in 2015 to 4,200 in 2022. Similarly, drug possession offences rose from 2,000 in 2013 to almost 3,500 in 2022.
The institute also referred to its data on drugs seized before they reached consumers. In 2022, nearly 111 tonnes of cocaine were reported as seized.
High concentrations of cocaine were detected, alongside ecstasy and amphetamines in Antwerp and Brussels’ wastewater systems in 2022. Amongst over 100 European cities studied, these two topped the list for the highest concentrations.
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Overall, the use of stimulant substances, such as ecstasy, amphetamines, and cocaine, has risen across the population.
Interestingly, only a very small proportion of individuals (14%) who struggle with substance abuse use just a single substance. Sciensano found that over half (57%) reported having issues with two or three substances, and nearly a third (29%) with four or more. Among these substances, an opioid (like heroin or fentanyl) was the primary problem for 39%, cocaine for 10%, and alcohol for another 10%.
