Experimenting with drugs is increasing
Drug experimentation and use among the Finnish population have increased since the 1990s. The proportion of people who have tried some drug at least once in their lifetime has increased fivefold, from six per cent in 1992 to 29 per cent in 2022. Thus, an increasing number of people have personal experience with drugs. The information is based on the Drug use and drug attitudes among Finns statistics, which cover the population aged 15–69.
Cannabis is the most common
The most tried or used drug is cannabis. The proportion of people who had tried or used cannabis at least once in their lifetime was 29 per cent in 2022. The number of people who have tried other drugs during their lifetime has also increased, although the proportions remain considerably lower than for cannabis. Seven per cent of the population had tried amphetamine, six per cent ecstasy/MDMA, and five per cent cocaine.
The use of doping outside elite sport has remained stable since 2010. This is a relatively rare phenomenon, as the proportion of Finns who have tried or used doping is around one per cent.
| Year | Cannabis | Non-medical use of sedatives, sleeping medications and painkillers | Amphetamine | Ecstasy/MDMA | Cocaine | Doping |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 5,6 | 2,8 | 0,3 | 0,2 | ||
| 6,8 | 3,1 | 0,6 | 0,3 | |||
| 1996 | 7,9 | 3,4 | 0,9 | 0,3 | 0,3 | |
| 1998 | 9,7 | 4,8 | 1,1 | 0,5 | 0,7 | |
| 10,8 | 5,8 | 1,6 | 0,9 | 0,6 | ||
| 2002 | 12,0 | 6,9 | 2,0 | 1,3 | 0,6 | |
| 12,7 | 6,8 | 2,0 | 1,4 | 0,8 | ||
| 2006 | 13,3 | 6,6 | 2,1 | 1,5 | 1,0 | |
| 15,1 | 6,5 | 2,1 | 1,6 | 1,3 | ||
| 2010 | 16,9 | 6,5 | 2,1 | 1,7 | 1,5 | 1,0 |
| 18,2 | 5,9 | 2,5 | 2,2 | 1,6 | 0,9 | |
| 2014 | 19,4 | 5,3 | 3,0 | 2,6 | 1,7 | 0,8 |
| 21,5 | 6,0 | 3,6 | 3,6 | 2,3 | 0,9 | |
| 2018 | 23,6 | 6,7 | 4,3 | 4,5 | 2,9 | 0,9 |
| 26,1 | 7,2 | 5,6 | 5,3 | 4,1 | 1,1 | |
| 2022 | 28,5 | 7,7 | 6,8 | 6,1 | 5,3 | 1,3 |
Major changes in attitudes and opinions
There have been significant shifts in the population’s attitudes towards drugs and in opinions on drug policy. For example, almost two thirds of respondents consider supervised consumption rooms, which have been widely discussed in public debate, to be acceptable. Perceptions of the risks associated with experimenting with or using cannabis, as well as views on the punishability of drug use, have become more lenient, and more people than before now are favourably disposed towards the legalisation of cannabis. Overall, the results indicate that the population’s attitudes towards drugs have changed.
About the data in more detail
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Drug use and drug attitudes among Finns – Drug-related population surveys in Finland 1992–2022 (Julkari) (in Finnish, English abstract)
Source
Suomalaisten huumeiden käyttö ja huumeasenteet 2022
Tilastoraportti 15/2023, 14.4.2023.
Description of the statistics
The statistics describe drug use among Finns as well as their opinions and attitudes towards drugs.
The statistics are produced as a sample-based postal survey. The survey is completed anonymously, and individual respondents cannot be identified from the data, not even indirectly.
The statistics play a central role in monitoring the national drug situation. In addition, these statistics are used for reporting Finland’s drug use data to the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA).
The statistics are published every four years.
Update schedule
The first results are published in a statistical report within six months of the end of data collection. A more comprehensive report is published later. Articles on specific themes are also published based on the data.
Contact details
Senior Researcher
tel. +358 29 524 7933
[email protected]