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.
he 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.
