Rotterdam residents snort 59,000 lines of cocaine a day, sewage study shows

Residents of Rotterdam sniff around 59,000 lines of cocaine a day, a study of sewage water conducted by the municipality shows. The trend is downward, according to a letter to the municipal council. Two years ago, 70,000 lines were detected through sewage analysis. Last year, that number dropped to 63,000.

The sewage analysis is part of a multi-year anti-drugs campaign in Rotterdam. A new phase of this started last month. QR codes that are meant to bring attention to the campaign and drug usage in the city can be seen in several parts of the city.

By scanning the QR code, interested individuals can follow an interactive journey tracing the drugs’ route from South America. The website provides information about the impact of drugs on the city, the associated health risks, and offers referrals to support services.

Annually, tens of thousands of kilos of cocaine are intercepted in the Port of Rotterdam. Due in part to improved detection methods, that quantity has also been decreasing for the past two years.

Around 3,100 pills of ecstasy are taken daily in Rotterdam. This is higher than last year, when almost 2,500 pills were taken daily, but significantly lower than two years ago (5,000 pills).

Cocaine usage is slightly lower in Rotterdam than it is in Amsterdam, but it is higher than in Utrecht and Eindhoven. Amsterdam also has a higher ecstasy usage rate.