Drug-taking

France

Cocaine overtakes cannabis as France's most lucrative illicit drug

Cocaine overtook cannabis as France's most lucrative illicit drug in 2023, generating €3.1 billion as usage tripled over a decade despite falling prices.

09/12/2025

Culture news

Doctor who sold Matthew Perry ketamine sentenced to prison

Dr. Salvador Plasencia was the first of five people to face justice over the actor's 2023 death in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. Plasencia was ordered to serve 30 months in prison for supplying ketamine to the actor, who had well-documented struggles with addiction.

04/12/2025

Europe in Motion

Where in the EU do most young adults consume cannabis?

According to the latest European Drug Report by the European Union Drugs Agency, some 15.4% of young Europeans aged 15 to 34 used cannabis in the past year. But which EU country tops the charts?

13/10/2025

Culture news

'Ketamine Queen' to plead guilty in death of Matthew Perry

A woman who was charged with selling 'Friends' star Matthew Parry the dose of the drug that killed him has agreed to plead guilty.

19/08/2025

Culture news

Doctor pleads guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine

Dr. Salvador Plasencia agreed last month to plead guilty to giving the Friends actor ketamine in the lead up to his death. He faces up to 40 years in prison.

24/07/2025

Culture news

Doctor to plead guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine

Los Angeles doctor Dr Salvador Plasencia called the actor a "moron" who could be exploited, according to a co-defendant. He has greed to plead guilty to giving the Friends actor ketamine in the lead up to his death, and faces up to 40 years in prison.

17/06/2025

Thailand

Thailand vows to tighten control of cannabis as smuggling cases soar

Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, which has boosted the country's tourism industry and spawned thousands of shops.

21/05/2025

Health news

US overdose deaths fell 27% last year, but remain far above EU levels

An estimated 80,000 people in the US died from drug overdoses in 2024.

15/05/2025

Healthcare

Scientists aim to vet claims that microdosing boosts well-being

Small studies on how microdosing affects people’s mental wellbeing have uncovered a powerful placebo effect.

18/04/2025

Culture news

Elton John slams legalisation of marijuana in US and Canada

"I maintain that it's addictive," Sir Elton tells Time, which named him Icon of the Year. He spoke to the publication about his belief that marijuana never should’ve been legalised in America and Canada.

12/12/2024

Europe

Brussels’ first consumption centre aims to keep drugs off streets

GATE, launched in 2022 to tackle drug problems in Brussels, will expand with a new centre next year due to its success and high demand.

13/09/2024

Health news

Germany legalises limited amounts of marijuana

From April, people aged 18 and over will be allowed to have 25g of cannabis and grow three plants of marijuana.

01/04/2024

Health news

Doctors in Belgium see serious nose lesions amid rising cocaine use

Doctors are treating people in Belgium who present with serious nose problems due to cocaine use.

28/03/2024

Health news

Spanish priest arrested by police for trafficking Viagra

The clergyman's diocese has expressed regret at his alleged actions. As well as Viagra, the priest was found to have other aphrodisiac substances.

21/02/2024

Tech News

TikTok disputes new report over steroid promoting videos on its app

A new report released by a tech watchdog group said the Chinese app has become a key marketing channel for promoting bodybuilding drugs to millions.

29/09/2023

World News

Europe key to Syrian regime's amphetamine trade, finds report

Europe has become the main transit route for Syrian Captagon tablets heading to the Middle East, according to the EMCDDA.

24/09/2023