European drugs report 2026 highlights drug consumption trends in Cyprus

The European Drug Report 2026, presented in Nicosia by the Cyprus Anti-Drugs Authority, indicates an increase in the availability and consumption of cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine across Cyprus. Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance, with lifetime prevalence in the general population reaching 18% in 2023, up from 6.6% in 2006. While cannabis use among students slightly declined to 8% in 2024, university students reported significantly higher rates. Authorities recorded eight direct drug-related deaths in 2024, a notable decrease from the peak of 17 deaths in 2020. Experts noted a shift in patterns, with recent fatalities increasingly associated with substances other than traditional opioids, including synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic opioids. Additionally, cannabis seizures reached 617 kg in 2024. Officials warned of the heightened risks posed by the prevalence of polysubstance use and the unknown purity of substances circulating in the market.