Norway reports highest cocaine usage among youth in Europe, study finds

A report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), published in June 2024, indicates that 4.2% of Norwegians aged 16 to 30 have reported using cocaine in the past year. This statistic places Norway among the highest in Europe for cocaine usage, according to EU assessments.

Earlier this fall, a media piece titled “The Price of the Line” documented cocaine’s journey from South America into Norwegian party culture. In a podcast on NRK Radio, researchers Marit Edland-Gryt from FHI and Thomas Clausen, a physician and professor at the University of Oslo, discussed both the social and medical dimensions of cocaine use, largely basing their conversation on audience questions.

Despite a slight increase in reported usage, Clausen and Edland-Gryt caution against sensationalizing the issue. They emphasize that over 95% of young people surveyed indicate they do not use cocaine. Edland-Gryt also warned that media coverage could foster a false perception of social norms, leading more individuals to try the drug.

Cocaine’s increasing presence is particularly concerning due to its association with alcohol consumption, which can lower the threshold for use. Clausen remarked on the need for changing attitudes towards drinking culture, especially among youth, to mitigate dependency risks.

Cocaine, traditionally used as a stimulant in northwest South America, now commonly appears in Norway predominantly as a white powder. The drug poses various health risks, including potential addiction after limited use. Experts stress the importance of addressing the underlying cultural attitudes towards drug use to help curb the rising trend in cocaine consumption among young Norwegians.