Drugs in France - statistics & facts
In 2022, the French were the third biggest smokers in Europe after Czechia and Italy, even though cannabis consumption is still strictly forbidden in France. Moreover, the "zero tolerance" policy towards drugs has regained popularity in recent years. Indeed, in 2024, former Minister of Interior, Gerald Darmanin, launched the operation “Place nette,” which was supposed to step up the fight against crime, linked with drug trafficking.
Finally, drug use is a phenomenon that especially affects men, who are more likely to experiment with all types of drugs. For instance, in 2024, 10 percent of French young men stated they consumed cannabis regularly, compared to six percent of women, and this gap also applies to other types of drugs.
Drug use on the rise
During the confinement due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, cannabis consumption has not decreased in France. On the contrary, only 16 percent of cannabis users stated that they had taken advantage of the months spent at home to reduce their consumption, while 27 percent consumed more. An alarming constant, possibly caused by the psychological upheavals of a long-term confinement, but not only. Indeed, drug consumption in France has been increasing for many years. For example, the share of cocaine users went from 0.3 percent in 1992 to 2.7 percent in 2023.Finally, drug use is a phenomenon that especially affects men, who are more likely to experiment with all types of drugs. For instance, in 2024, 10 percent of French young men stated they consumed cannabis regularly, compared to six percent of women, and this gap also applies to other types of drugs.
