Leeuwarden residents surpass Amsterdam as the biggest cocaine users in the Netherlands

Leeuwarden has surpassed Amsterdam when it comes to cocaine use per resident, the Leeuwarder Courant reported based on new wastewater research in the Friesland city. Cocaine use in Leeuwarden has increased significantly compared to the previous measurement in 2023.

Researchers tested the benzoylegonine concentrate in Leeuwarden’s wastewater. Benzoylegonine is a byproduct of the human body used to calculate cocaine use. In 2023, they found 1,192 mg of benzoylegonine per 1,000 residents. This year, that rose to 1,748 per 1,000 inhabitants.

By comparison, in the most recent wastewater study conducted in Amsterdam last year, researchers found 1,206 mg of benzoylegonine per 1,000 inhabitants. That study showed that cocaine use was also much lower in Rotterdam (973 mg), Eindhoven (810 mg), and Zwolle.

Amphetamine, also known as speed, is also more popular in Leeuwarden than in other Dutch cities, according to the newspaper.