European drug use on the rise, modest local improvements in Croatia, study shows

The results of an international study on illicit drug use, based on wastewater analysis, were presented Wednesday at the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

According to the latest data, the situation in Zagreb and Split has slightly improved compared to a year ago. Neither city ranks among the top 20 of the 115 European cities studied for levels of drug metabolites in wastewater.

However, the broader European picture remains concerning. The data show increased use of cocaine and ketamine, while levels of amphetamines, methamphetamines, and cannabis remain largely unchanged.

“The situation is worrisome across Europe. Demand is rising, supply is rising, and certain types of drugs are becoming cheaper and easier to obtain. We need to redouble efforts in prevention and improve health literacy related to drug use,” said Krunoslav Capak, director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

Police, meanwhile, report intensified enforcement.

“We are dealing with a large number of misdemeanors and criminal cases—nearly 9,000—but it’s also important to note that we recorded almost 12,000 separate drug seizures in 2025,” said Dražen Rastović of the anti-organized crime agency PNUSKOK.