Do you use drugs? How much? Why? These are some of the questions raised in the latest European web survey on drugs launched today by the EU Drugs Agency (EMCDDA). A survey aimed at people aged 18 and over who have used drugs aims to improve understanding of patterns of drug use in Europe and help shape future drug policies and interventions.

A voluntary anonymous survey - one of the Agency's targeted monitoring methods - will take place in 36 countries in approximately 30 languages this year. As in previous years, it will be promoted at national levels, through Reitox contact points and their partners, as well as through targeted social media advertising.

For the second time, the Agency's partners from the Western Balkans and the European Neighbourhood Policy are also participating through projects of a pre-accession assistance instrument. (IPA8) and –EU4Monitoring of drugs (EU4MDII), bridging important gaps in data in these regions.

Internet surveys have the advantage of direct reaching people who use drugs. They are fast and cheap to create, they quickly provide new data and can help to detect new trends. If the same questions are together with a consistent translation process, then these surveys can also allow comparison between countries.

The new six-week survey is structured into modules aimed at: socio-demographic data, patterns of drug use, access to drugs (usually purchased quantities and prices), with a deeper focus on patterns of cannabis use. Its findings will contribute to the emerging knowledge base on drug use practices in Europe. This will help to improve estimates of market size at national and European level and contribute to policy development in a broader sense.

While web surveys are not representative of the general population, careful implementation and combined with traditional data collection methods can help to create a more detailed, realistic and up-to-date picture of drug use and drug markets in Europe. As such, they are a key component of the EMCDDA's response to a constantly changing drug problem.

Sources:
Website of the European Internet survey
Video on methodology: Why a European web survey on drugs? (2021)

Promotion video

The EMCDDA will become the European Union Agency for Drugs (EUDA) on 2 July 2024, with a broader mandate. Further information:https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/about/euda-2024 en