The upward trend in cannabis use and availability in Cyprus, as well as the expansion of cocaine and methamphetamine use are among the findings of the European Drug Report 2026, presented on Tuesday, in Nicosia, during a press conference organized by the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority.
In 2024, eight direct drug-related overdose deaths were recorded. The highest number of direct overdose deaths on record was 17, registered in 2020.
The Chairman of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority, Dr Christos Mina, stated that ‘cannabis remains the most widely available and most commonly used illicit substance among the general population, while we are also witnessing increased activity and expansion of cocaine and methamphetamine use in all its forms.’
Dr Mina further noted that ‘new synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, as well as nitazenes and synthetic opioids, are emerging concerns. Overall, the key trends are polydrug use, combined substance use, higher purity and potency levels, and, most importantly, the uncertainty surrounding what users are actually consuming, which poses significant risks both to individual and public health.’
According to research findings presented by Ioanna Yasemi, Head of the Monitoring Department of the National Documentation and Information Centre for Drugs (EKTEPN) of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority, the substance-use landscape is changing. While historically (2004-2021) the overwhelming majority of deaths were associated with opioids, in 2022 and 2024 all recorded deaths were linked exclusively to other substances. In addition, the percentage of injecting drug users who were retested and found positive for Hepatitis C remained alarmingly high, reaching 45.2% in 2024.
Cannabis
The report shows a clear upward trend in both cannabis use and availability in recent years. Lifetime cannabis use among the general population rose steadily, reaching 18% in 2023, compared with 6.6% in 2006, 12.1% in 2016, and 14.1% in 2019.
The highest prevalence of lifetime cannabis use was recorded among individuals aged 25-34 (27% in 2023), followed by young people aged 15-24 (21.8% in 2023). Among school students, lifetime cannabis use declined slightly to 8% in 2024 (10% among boys and 6.8% among girls), down from the peak of 9% recorded in 2019.
By contrast, cannabis use among university students remains significantly higher, with 32% reporting lifetime use, 18% use within the past year, and 11% use within the past month.
Seizures of herbal cannabis by the Cyprus Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN) increased dramatically in recent years, reaching 554.2 kg in 2023 and a record high of 617 kg in 2024.
Cocaine and Methamphetamine
According to the report, stimulant drugs are showing worrying growth trends, with Larnaca emerging as a hotspot for elevated concentrations.
Lifetime cocaine use among the general population stood at 2.2% in 2023. Wastewater analysis data for 2025 indicate that, although Cyprus remains below many European countries in overall cocaine consumption, Larnaca recorded the highest concentration (approximately 135 mg/1,000 people/day), followed by Ayia Napa and Nicosia.
Among university students, 4.3% reported lifetime cocaine use, 2.2% use during the previous year, and 1.5% use during the previous month.
Cocaine seizures amounted to 52.1 kg in 2024. The historical record remains 182.3 kg, recorded in 2016.
‘We are not among the highest-ranking countries in Europe, but we are seeing an increase. Treatment requests have increased, as have public health problems, as well as drug-related crime and violence,’ said Dr Mina.
Regarding methamphetamine use, while concentrations have decreased in Limassol, significant local increases have been recorded elsewhere. Larnaca reported by far the highest daily concentration in wastewater (over 60 mg/1,000 people/day), followed by Ayia Napa.
Methamphetamine seizures fell sharply from 8.5 kg in 2023 to just 0.5 kg in 2024.
Treatment Requests
According to the report, the total number of people receiving treatment for substance use disorders, regardless of the substance involved, reached 1,531 individuals in 2024, the highest figure recorded since 2004.
The increase is attributed to a genuine rise in substance-use problems, greater availability of treatment programmes, reduced social stigma, and the implementation of referral protocols for young people arrested by YKAN.
In 2024, 328 individuals began treatment for cannabis use, bringing the total number of cannabis users in treatment programmes to 522 when including those continuing treatment from previous years.
A further 184 individuals began treatment for cocaine use in 2024, bringing the total number of cocaine users in treatment programmes to 276.
For methamphetamine use, 73 individuals entered treatment during 2024, with a total of 122 people participating in treatment programmes.
Treatment requests where opioids (such as heroin) were identified as the primary substance of use continue to follow a steady downward trend. Only 82 individuals began treatment for opioid use in 2024, compared with 399 in 2007.
The estimated number of problematic opioid users declined to 817 individuals in 2024, comprising 147 Cypriots and 514 foreign nationals.