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Cannabis remains the most commonly used illegal drug in Cyprus, while cocaine and methamphetamine are becoming increasingly present across the country, according to the European Drug Report 2026 presented in Nicosia by the Cyprus National Addictions Authority.
The report points to significant changes in patterns of substance use, alongside growing demand for treatment services and continued concerns about the emergence of new synthetic drugs.
Authority chairman Dr Christos Mina said cannabis continues to dominate the illicit drug market in Cyprus, while cocaine and methamphetamine are gaining ground. He also warned about the appearance of synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, nitazenes and other synthetic opioids.
According to Dr Mina, users are increasingly consuming multiple substances at the same time, while stronger and purer drugs are becoming more common. He added that uncertainty about the composition of substances being sold remains a serious public health issue.
Drug-related deaths and health risks
Eight fatal overdoses directly linked to drugs were recorded in 2024. The highest annual figure remains 17 deaths, recorded in 2020.
Research presented by Ioanna Yasemi, head of the Monitoring Department at the National Documentation and Information Centre for Drugs (EKTEPN), indicates a shift in the substances associated with fatal cases. Between 2004 and 2021, most drug-related deaths involved opioids. However, all deaths recorded in 2022 and 2024 were connected to other substances.
The report also found that 45.2 per cent of injecting drug users who underwent repeat testing were positive for Hepatitis C in 2024.
Cannabis use continues to rise
Cannabis consumption has increased steadily over the past two decades. Lifetime use among the general population reached 18 per cent in 2023, compared with 14.1 per cent in 2019, 12.1 per cent in 2016 and 6.6 per cent in 2006.
People aged 25 to 34 recorded the highest rate of lifetime use at 27 per cent, followed by those aged 15 to 24 at 21.8 per cent.
Among school pupils, lifetime cannabis use fell slightly to 8 per cent in 2024, down from 9 per cent in 2019. Rates were higher among boys than girls.
University students reported substantially greater levels of use, with 32 per cent saying they had used cannabis at least once, while 18 per cent had used it during the previous year and 11 per cent during the previous month.
Law enforcement data also show a sharp increase in quantities seized. Authorities confiscated 617 kilograms of herbal cannabis in 2024, surpassing the 554.2 kilograms seized in 2023.
Larnaca records highest stimulant concentrations
The report identifies stimulant drugs as an area requiring close attention, particularly in Larnaca.
Lifetime cocaine use among the general population stood at 2.2 per cent in 2023. Wastewater monitoring conducted in 2025 found the highest cocaine concentrations in Larnaca, followed by Ayia Napa and Nicosia.
Among university students, 4.3 per cent reported having used cocaine at least once, while 2.2 per cent had used it during the previous year and 1.5 per cent during the previous month.
Cocaine seizures totalled 52.1 kilograms in 2024. The largest quantity ever intercepted remains the 182.3 kilograms seized in 2016.
Dr Mina said Cyprus remains below many European countries in overall cocaine consumption, but trends indicate growing use, accompanied by increasing treatment demand, public health consequences and drug-related criminal activity.
Methamphetamine monitoring produced a similar picture. Although concentrations declined in Limassol, wastewater data showed particularly high levels in Larnaca, with Ayia Napa also recording elevated figures.
Seizures of methamphetamine dropped significantly, falling from 8.5 kilograms in 2023 to 0.5 kilograms last year.
Record numbers seeking treatment
A total of 1,531 people received treatment for substance-use disorders in 2024, the highest number recorded since data collection began in 2004.
The increase has been linked to rising substance-use problems, improved access to treatment programmes, lower levels of social stigma and referral procedures involving young people arrested by the Drug Law Enforcement Unit.
Cannabis accounted for the largest number of new admissions, with 328 people starting treatment during 2024. Including existing participants, 522 cannabis users were enrolled in treatment programmes.
For cocaine, 184 people entered treatment for the first time during the year, bringing the total number receiving care to 276.
Methamphetamine treatment programmes accepted 73 new patients, with overall participation reaching 122 individuals.
In contrast, opioid-related treatment demand continued to decline. Only 82 people began treatment for opioid use in 2024, compared with 399 in 2007.
The estimated number of problematic opioid users fell to 817 in 2024, including 147 Cypriots and 514 foreign nationals.
