60% of European citizens believe that drug trafficking and drug use constitute serious problems in their area, and 49% think that drug trafficking has increased in their surroundings over the past five years, according to the first drug survey of the EU Drugs Agency (EUDA), released this Thursday.
Mental health problems, such as psychosis and suicide, come at the top of public health concerns linked to drugs (39%), while the involvement of children and adolescents in drug trafficking appears as one of the main security concerns (30%).
The survey, in which 95,883 people aged 15 or over from 35 European countries took part—among them the 27 EU member states—examines how the population perceives drug-related problems, their ease of access, and what measures should be adopted to address them.
In the health sphere, 39% of respondents identify first disorders of mental health associated with drug use, ahead of the risks linked to new synthetic substances (30%). In terms of security, the involvement of children and adolescents in drug trafficking is the most frequent concern (30%), followed by violence related to drugs (27%) and driving under their effects (26%).
Perceptions of the seriousness of drug use differ between countries. Within the EU, the proportion of people who view it as a serious problem in their locality ranges from 44% in Denmark to 78% in Cyprus. By contrast, 14% believe that drug trafficking has decreased in their surroundings over the past five years.
Cannabis, the most accessible substance
Almost half of residents in the EU (48%) believe they could obtain cannabis in less than 24 hours, compared with approximately one third in the case of cocaine and MDMA. This impression is more widespread among young people aged 15 to 24, of whom 55% say it would be easy to obtain cannabis, compared with 42% of people aged 55 or over.
Regarding measures against drug trafficking, 39% support toughening actions against traffickers and 37% advocate focusing on dismantling criminal networks. The option of legalizing and regulating drugs garners the least support, with 13%.
When asked about initiatives to reduce the harms associated with consumption, 45% favor strengthening police action on trafficking and distribution, while 43% prefer to prioritize assistance for people with addictions to facilitate their reintegration into the workplace and society.
More support than punishment for consumers
The survey also shows a majority preference for assistance over criminal sanctions for those who consume drugs and end up in the judicial system. 45% state that they are in favor of offering them support and treatment, compared with 31% who opt for a criminal conviction or imprisonment and the 10% who choose lesser punishments, such as fines.
This position does not necessarily translate into greater social tolerance, since only 31% of participants say they would accept a person who consumes drugs as a neighbor and only 19% would look favorably on them marrying a family member.
The European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, has pointed out that citizens demand firm measures against traffickers and criminal networks, but also recognize the importance of supporting people affected by drug consumption.
For her part, the Executive Director of the EUDA, Lorraine Nolan, has highlighted that the results make it possible to learn how citizens perceive drug consumption and drug trafficking and what responses they consider necessary—information that can help guide public policies.