Cocaine use rises across nearly all Finland, study finds
Finland Cocaine use has increased in almost all of Finland, according to a wastewater study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, or THL, reported by Yle. Use is highest in large cities in southern Finland.
“Cocaine use remains highest in the capital region, but the biggest changes are now being seen elsewhere in Finland,” THL development manager Aino Kankaanpää said in a statement.
According to THL, cocaine use has increased throughout the entire measurement period, which began in 2012.
Amphetamine use has remained stable, while ecstasy use appears to be declining. Methamphetamine use remains low on average.
The nationwide wastewater study covers samples collected in March from more than 30 cities and their surrounding areas. It covers about 65 per cent of Finland’s population. THL has also published continuous wastewater monitoring results from Helsinki, Tampere and Turku through the end of June this year.
Increase in alpha-PVP use has levelled off
The increase in the use of the designer drug alpha-PVP has levelled off, and consumption appears to have stabilised at a relatively high level, THL said. Use remains heavily concentrated in southern and western Finland.
“In contrast, alpha-PVP was detected only occasionally in small quantities, or not at all, in several cities in northern and eastern Finland,” said Teemu Gunnar, head of THL’s forensic toxicology team.
THL said wastewater monitoring indicates that alpha-PVP use typically varies more over time and between regions than the use of more established drugs. The same is true of other designer drugs.
Alpha-PVP is the most common and longest-established new psychoactive substance to have been widely used as an intoxicant in Finland. It was classified as a narcotic in Finland at the end of 2013.
A strong dose of alpha-PVP has been found to cause intense confusion, loudness, agitation, sensory disturbances and paranoia in most users. It can also cause hallucinations, psychosis and unpredictable, intense violent behaviour.