Drug Use Trends in the Netherlands

Drug use trends in the Netherlands are constantly changing and evolving. However, the overall trends have stayed relatively stable over the past decade. The use of illicit drugs has been on a downward trend since 2011, when the country adopted a public health approach to drug policy. The most commonly used drug in the Netherlands is marijuana, with around 19 percent of the population using it in some form. Cannabis is also the most commonly used drug among young people, with around one in five people aged 15-34 years old using it.

The consumption of alcohol has also been on a downward trend in recent years, with the number of people who drink regularly decreasing from around 40 percent in 2009 to 32 percent in 2018. The consumption of hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, has also decreased over the past decade, although the use of some synthetic drugs has increased.

In general, the trends in drug use in the Netherlands are positive, with the overall use of drugs decreasing, particularly among young people. The country has also implemented a number of successful prevention and harm reduction strategies, such as the introduction of drug testing centers, which help to reduce the health risks associated with drug use, and the setting up of safe injection sites. These initiatives have contributed to the overall downward trend in drug use.