Drug use on the rise

Written by Mirtill Rádonyi

According to the latest nationwide survey on addiction problems (OLAAP), drug use in Hungary increased significantly between 2019 and 2023.

The results of the survey give experts cause for great concern, writes the socialist daily newspaper ‘Népszava’. The proportion of people who have used a prohibited drug at least once in their lives rose from 7.9% to 11.1%, emphasised research director Borbála Paksi.

Meanwhile, the order of popularity of drugs has also changed. Although marijuana still tops the list, synthetic cannabinoids such as herbal or organic weed have displaced ecstasy from second place. In contrast, the use of cocaine and heroin shows a downward trend.

The research results are in line with the National Drug Report from 2022, which points to systematic changes in drug consumption behaviour since 2010. The report emphasises the rise of new psychoactive drugs and the decline of classic drugs among problematic users. Paksi suspects that the actual consumption data is significantly higher. Drug users are among the most rejected social group, with their rejection rate rising to 86.3%. This makes accurate measurements difficult, as respondents often conceal their use of banned substances.

According to estimates using techniques that better preserve anonymity, the trial rate for marijuana could be as high as 36.9% instead of the official 9.5%. The rate for synthetic cannabinoids could be 30.9% instead of 3.2%. Worryingly, the average age of first use has also fallen. It is currently around 18 years old, 1.5 years lower than in 2001, which is a problem as early substance use increases the risk of later problematic use. Surprisingly, the study did not find a direct link between the corona pandemic and other social problems and increased drug use. Further research is needed to uncover the reasons for the increase in consumption.