Cocaine overtakes amphetamine in Helsinki – drug use quadrupled since 2012
THL wastewater study reveals: drug use has quadrupled in Finland since 2012, and cocaine has become the most common drug in major southern cities.
Cocaine overtakes amphetamine in major cities of southern Finland
Drug use in Finland has quadrupled since 2012, according to a wastewater study published on Thursday by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). According to Ilta-Sanomat, cocaine has already surpassed amphetamine as the most common drug in Helsinki, Espoo, Turku, Salo and Vihti.
THL's leading expert Teemu Gunnar identifies two clear dividing lines in usage: geographical location and city size. In major cities in southern Finland, drugs are used significantly more in relation to population than in northern or eastern Finland.
Helsinki in the lead, Oulu and Rovaniemi clearly lagging behind
The highest amount of drug residues in wastewater is found in Helsinki. Over one thousand milligrammes of combined drug residues per thousand inhabitants are recorded daily in Espoo, Turku and Lahti as well. Vihti, Kotka, Kuopio, Kouvola and Porvoo approach these figures.
In Oulu and Rovaniemi, the situation is clearly more calm. Provincial cities such as Pori, Seinäjoki and Hämeenlinna also show lower usage levels – although growth in these places too has been rapid in recent years.
Cocaine price limits user group
Gunnar estimates that cocaine users are partially different demographic groups from amphetamine users. Intravenous cocaine use is still minimal in Finland.
– Cocaine requires more money for people to be able to use it. The price of cocaine is so high that it restricts the user group, Gunnar states.
Cocaine use is heavily concentrated on weekends. During the Midsummer weekend, usage collapsed compared to other periods.
– In Western and Central Europe, cocaine and heroin are in many countries the number one drugs used intravenously. In Finland, price directs users towards cheaper substances such as amphetamine or alpha-PVP, Gunnar explains.
Amphetamine holds its ground in smaller towns
Amphetamine continues to be widely used throughout Finland, although peak levels have fallen behind. It is the typical substance in smaller cities such as Huittinen and Pietarsaari. According to Gunnar, there are still places in northern and eastern Finland where cocaine is barely used at all.
The use of the much-discussed designer drug alpha-PVP has recently stabilised, but THL continues to consider usage levels high. In March 2025, alpha-PVP was recorded in the capital region and also in places such as Seinäjoki, Salo, Vihti, Turku, Tampere, Hämeenlinna, Jyväskylä, Porvoo, Nokia, Lahti, Huittinen, Mikkeli and Joensuu.
Gunnar estimates that alpha-PVP has partially replaced amphetamine use. The availability of amphetamine has weakened in recent years as a result of seizures.
The smallest of the cities with regular alpha-PVP use is Huittinen with approximately 10,000 inhabitants. Gunnar does not nevertheless consider the situation particularly exceptional.
– Alpha-PVP usage levels are really small compared to, for example, the capital region, he clarifies.
Wastewater study covers 65 per cent of the population
THL published wastewater statistics on Thursday, 3 September, from 32 cities and their surrounding areas. From Helsinki, Turku and Tampere, the results of continuous monitoring were additionally published through the end of June of the current year.
Samples for continuous monitoring are collected from these cities between Sunday and Monday morning, so they particularly represent weekend use. The nationwide study, by contrast, reflects average usage across all days of the week.
The study covers approximately 65 per cent of Finland's population in total. The areas served by wastewater facilities may cover broader regions, but they are named after the largest city.
Source: Ilta-Sanomat