Cocaine use in France has surged dramatically, with around 1.1 million people having tried the drug in 2023, up from 600,000 in 2022. Contributing factors include increased global production, changing workplace dynamics, and a shift in societal perceptions of cocaine. France now ranks 7th in Europe for cocaine consumption, with a rise in drug experimentation among young adults. The economic impact of drug trafficking is significant, with estimated annual revenues between 3.5 and 6 billion euros and social costs reaching 7.7 billion euros.
Surge in Cocaine Consumption in France
The craving for cocaine in France has reached unprecedented levels, with approximately 1.1 million individuals having tried the drug at least once in 2023. This startling statistic comes from a recent report by the French Observatory of Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT), released on January 15. This figure marks a significant increase from the previous report, which recorded around 600,000 users in 2022, highlighting a troubling trend in drug consumption.
Factors Driving Cocaine Usage
Several key elements have contributed to this rise in cocaine use. First and foremost, global production rates have soared, particularly in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru, which produced 2,700 tons of cocaine in 2022—nearly triple the amount produced in 2010, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. This surge in availability is reflected in law enforcement efforts, with French authorities confiscating 23.5 tons of cocaine in 2023, a stark increase from just 4.1 tons in 2010. In the initial 11 months of 2024, anti-drug units in France have already seized nearly 47 tons of the substance.
Additionally, changing workplace dynamics have played a role, as many workers are increasingly turning to cocaine to cope with demanding job conditions, particularly in sectors like the restaurant industry and fishing. Ivana Obradovic, deputy director of the OFDT, notes that the perception of cocaine has also shifted, as it becomes more normalized and is viewed as less dangerous than it was two decades ago.
This year, France has ascended to the 7th position in Europe for cocaine consumption. Notably, while the price of a gram of cocaine has remained relatively stable—rising from 60 euros in 2011 to 66 euros in 2023—the purity of the drug has seen a dramatic increase, reaching 73% in 2023 compared to 46% in 2011. Meanwhile, cannabis remains the most widely used drug in France, with 5 million users in 2023, including 1.4 million regular users and 900,000 daily consumers.
The trend of increased drug experimentation has been particularly pronounced among young adults, with notable rises in the use of stimulants like cocaine and MDMA/ecstasy. The number of people experimenting with MDMA/ecstasy jumped from 400,000 in 2019 to 750,000 in 2023. Furthermore, the use of heroin has also escalated, with 850,000 individuals reported as experimenters, an increase of 350,000 since the last study.
Heroin, once mainly found in specific regions, is now accessible across France, affecting a broader demographic, including socially integrated individuals who use it in a ‘snorted’ form. Drug trafficking in France is estimated to generate between 3.5 and 6 billion euros annually. A recent OFDT study has quantified the social costs associated with illicit drug use—considering lost lives, diminished quality of life, and the financial burden on public services—at a staggering 7.7 billion euros.