Recreational drug poisonings reported to six European poison centres from 2021 to 2024
L. Hondebrink, Katrin Faber, Aza Kader, Pardeep Singh Jagpal, Tara Arif, Maren Hermanns‐clausen
Clinical Toxicology March 4, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2026.2628073 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractRecreational drug poisonings reported to six European poison centres increased significantly between 2021 and 2024, although they represented only about 3% of all calls. The total number of cases rose from 5,619 in 2021 to 7,229 in 2024, with the largest increases observed in Austria, Freiburg (Germany), and the United Kingdom. The most frequently implicated drugs were delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cocaine, amfetamine, and MDMA. Rising rates were seen for THC in Austria and Freiburg; cocaine in Freiburg and the UK; amfetamine in Freiburg and Sweden; and ketamine in Austria, Freiburg, and the UK. In 2024, amfetamine poisonings peaked in Freiburg (0.63%) and Sweden (0.94%), cocaine in Freiburg (0.78%) and the UK (0.74%), and ketamine in the Netherlands (0.42%) and the UK (0.24%). Coordinated European monitoring could support timely public health interventions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Cases of recreational drug poisonings reported to poison centres in Austria, Freiburg (Germany), the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom |
| Duration | 4-year period (2021-2024) |
| Keywords | Recreational use Public health Poison control Recreational drug use Environmental health |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Recreational drug poisonings reported to six European poison centres increased significantly between 2021 and 2024, with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine, amfetamine, and MDMA most frequently implicated. |
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Recreational drug poisonings pose a growing public health concern. European-level data remain limited, although poison centres are well placed to monitor related health incidents. This study analysed temporal trends in recreational drug poisonings reported to six European poison centres. METHODS: Aggregated retrospective data were collected over four years (2021-2024) from poison centres in Austria, Freiburg (Germany), the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Cases involving 11 recreational drugs (amfetamine, cocaine, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, gamma-hydr-oxybutyrate, heroin, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, 3,4-methylenedioxymetamfetamine, metamfetamine, poppers, and psilocybin) were included. Annual rates of recreational drug exposures were calculated relative to all poisoned patients, and trends were analysed using linear regression. RESULTS: = 7,229) in 2024, mainly driven by the increases in Austria, Freiburg, and the United Kingdom. Rates ranged from 1.3% (Austria) to 2.8% (Netherlands) in 2021 and from 1.9% (Austria) to 3.6% (Freiburg) in 2024. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine, amfetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymetamfetamine were most frequently implicated. Increasing rates were observed for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Freiburg, Austria), cocaine (Freiburg, United Kingdom), amfetamine (Freiburg, Sweden), and ketamine (Austria, Freiburg, United Kingdom). In 2024, amfetamine poisonings peaked in Freiburg (0.63%) and Sweden (0.94%), cocaine in Freiburg (0.78%) and the United Kingdom (0.74%), and ketamine in the Netherlands (0.42%) and the United Kingdom (0.24%). DISCUSSION: Although recreational drug poisonings comprised a small proportion of poison centre calls (∼3%), a significant increase was observed between 2021 and 2024, underscoring their value in toxicovigilance and early identification of emerging drug trends. CONCLUSIONS: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine, amfetamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymetamfetamine were most frequently reported, with notable national differences. Coordinated European monitoring of recreational drug poisonings may support timely public health interventions and prevention strategies.