Cannabis is the most frequently used illicit drug in Europe. This is according to a large-scale survey carried out by the European Union Drugs Agency based in Lisbon (pictured). According to the extensive survey released today, 59% of respondents (self-selected among those who have used at least one illicit drug in the 12 months prior to the survey) said they have used it in the last year. Cannabis is followed by ecstasy (30%) and cocaine (29%). Among other drugs, respondents reported use of magic mushrooms (18%), amphetamine (17%) and new psychoactive substances (16%). Meanwhile, 14% of respondents reported ketamine use in the past 12 months. “While web surveys are not representative of the general population”, the EU Agency stressed, “when carefully conducted and combined with traditional data-collection methods, they can help paint a more detailed, realistic and timely picture of drug use and drug markets in Europe”. In particular, the web survey collected data from 66,000 European adults from 31 countries. The survey was conducted in 30 languages between May and July 2024. More than 100 partners took part in the initiative, including the Reitox network of national focal points, universities and civil society organisations. Hence the key finding: “The responses showed cannabis to be the most consumed substance overall, while polysubstance use is increasingly widespread”.