The city of Stockholm, together with the state research institute RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden, has measured the drug levels in the wastewater during parts of 2023.
– It is important to have a picture of what drug use looks like in Stockholm. So that we can put in the right effort in the right place. We see it very clearly in this measurement that different preparations are used in different parts of the city and on different days of the week, says Alexander Ojanne, (S)ocial and security councillor.
The analyzes of the water show how cocaine and ecstasy (MDMA), “significantly increased” in the inner city. And that the drug is used frequently during the weekends.
“…which suggests that these are mainly used as “party drugs” while other drugs are used more regularly on all days of the week,” the report says.
Cocaine on Kungsholmen
On Söder Mälarstrand on Södermalm, the most used drug is amphetamine. During the weekend, ecstasy increased in that area – while cocaine and amphetamines are the drugs most used on Kungsholmen between Saturday and Sunday.
– It is upsetting. Often the middle class and upper class choose to use drugs and financially support gang crime in the city of Stockholm. Of course I’m pissed off. We will take this further, says Alexander Ojanne.
What are you most surprised about in this survey?
– That it is so significant shows that cocaine abuse and ecstasy are used on weekends in the inner city. We knew that it was used more, but not that there was a huge difference. And that party junkies are so big. It is a major source of income for organized crime. It is very regrettable.
Tramadol in Sundby
The treatment plants that cover Sundby, part of Järva in Västerort, however, show that tramadol is most common there. Cannabis also “stands out” in both Sundby and Söder Mälarstrand.
According to Alexander Ojanne, the city will now cooperate with other authorities to counter drug use, mainly in Stockholm’s pubs.
– Both the police and the county administrative board got in touch and said they were very interested in taking part in the results.