Cocaine consumption in Athens and the surrounding Attica region doubled over the Christmas holiday, according to a report by MEGA TV.

Urban wastewater sampling revealed that daily consumption soared from an estimated 1.5 kilograms to 3 kilograms, as noted by expert scientists.

Annual trends show that cocaine use significantly increases almost every year, based on official data and wastewater analysis in the region.

Since 2020, samples from urban wastewater have consistently indicated that Greeks consume an estimated half a ton of cocaine annually.

The trendline of cocaine use reveals occasional spikes during specific periods, such as Christmas and New Year celebrations or major summer music festivals and concerts.

Athens Drug Trends: Stimulants Over Heroin

A previous report by Ta Nea revealed that, in Athens, the drug landscape has shifted significantly over the past two decades.

While heroin was the predominant “hard” drug of choice in the 2000s, stimulants like cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines now dominate the preferences of users.

This data is derived from urban sewage analysis at the Psittala Treatment Center, which processes waste from approximately four million residents.

Cocaine Use on the Rise
Cocaine consumption in Athens has historically increased during the holiday season. Between December 23, 2023, and January 7, 2024 of last year, cocaine levels in sewage samples reached over two kilograms per day, nearly doubling the 1.11 kilograms per day recorded earlier.

While this marked a rise, it remains below the peak of 2.67 kilograms per day recorded in late April 2023.

Considering the report at MEGA on cocaine use in Attica over Christmas, it appears the region may have reached a new high.

Despite the increase, Athens’ cocaine usage is significantly lower than cities like Barcelona or Amsterdam, where levels are more than double.

Other Substances: Meth, MDMA, and Heroin
Party drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy) also saw a seasonal spike last Christmas, doubling to 28 grams per day over the holidays. However, this was lower than figures from the same period in 2022.

Methamphetamine use, in contrast, remains consistent year-round, averaging 120 grams per day. Heroin use, once dominant, has declined, though accurate data is unavailable due to the drug’s rapid metabolism.

Cannabis and Sedatives
Cannabis remains widely used across all social classes in Athens, with consumption peaking on weekends at around 500,000 cigarettes daily, dropping to 210,000 on weekdays, according to 2023 figures. Sedatives like benzodiazepines have also gained popularity in recent years. Often combined with stimulants, drugs like Xanax and oxazepam peaked in 2014 but have since declined to lower levels.

The shift in drug preferences reflects changing social and cultural dynamics in Athens, as well as broader trends in substance use across Europe.