There have been ‘strong increases’ in cocaine and ketamine detections in European wastewater analysis, according to the latest report from the Europe-wide SCORE group in association with EUDA.
The project, which analysed wastewater in 115 cities across 25 countries, also found a ‘marked decline’ in MDMA residues. Samples from a population of 72m people were analysed for traces of amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, MDMA and methamphetamine between March and May last year. Despite varying results it is ‘noteworthy that all six drugs investigated were found in almost every participating city’, the researchers state.
Cocaine loads in wastewater increased by 22 per cent between 2024 and 2025 across the cities that reported data for both years, with detections highest in western and southern Europe – particularly Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. Ketamine loads, meanwhile, increased by more than 40 per cent in cities reporting data for both years – predominantly in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Late last year outgoing EUDA executive director Alexis Goosdeel said the exponential increase in cocaine production and trafficking had developed into ‘an unprecedented phenomenon’, with the drug ‘more accessible, more affordable and more potent’ across Europe than ever before. Most cocaine shipments have traditionally arrived via Antwerp and Rotterdam, although more traffickers are now using Spain as an entry point.
MDMA loads fell by 16 per cent – a sharper decline than in 2020, when nightlife venues were closed because of COVID – with the fall most noticeable in Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Amphetamine residues were highest in northern and central Europe, and lowest in the south. Methamphetamine, meanwhile, which was once concentrated in central Europe is now being found in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and elsewhere.
Although wastewater analysis is an established method for monitoring quantities of illicit drugs use at population level, it cannot provide information on prevalence and frequency of use, or the purity of the drugs, the researchers point out.
‘Europe’s wastewater tells the story of a drug phenomenon that is widespread, varied and in constant flux,’ said EUDA’s new executive director Dr Lorraine Nolan. ‘This year’s study, covering 115 European cities, reveals a marked decline in traces of MDMA, alongside continued signs that cocaine and ketamine detections are on the rise. Wastewater analysis helps us track these shifts early to better understand where attention and resources are needed and to inform evidence-based public health and policy responses across Europe’.
Wastewater analysis and drugs — a European multi-city study available here