In Switzerland, the proportion of people aged 15 to 64 who used at least one illegal substance (excluding cannabis) in the past 12 months rose over a 20-year period from 0.5% in 2002 to 1.9% in 2022. Accordingly, an increase was also seen in the proportion of people who had taken an illegal substance at least once in their life: from 3.2% in 2002 to 8.6% in 2022. This increase is apparent in both sexes and for all substances (excluding heroin).
Over the whole period, the proportion of men using illegal substances was significantly higher than that of women (2022: 2.6% vs. 1.2%).
This indicator is part of the Monitoring System Addiction and NCD (MonAM) of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
The consumption of illegal substances comes with various risks. For example, it can impact physical and mental health and encourage risky behaviour. Some illegal substances have considerable potential for addiction and dependency. In addition to the negative impact on users themselves, people close to them are often subject to enormous stress. The indicator provides information on the prevalence of illegal substance use in the population and on the groups at risk.
This indicator was calculated on the basis of data from the Swiss Health Survey (SHS, n2022 ≈ 22 000) and is updated every five years.
It shows, depending on the chosen category, the proportion of 15 to 64 year-olds in the Swiss population living in a private household, who have taken at least one illegal substance, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin or another substance (e.g. speed, amphetamine, LSD or magic mushrooms) in the past 12 months or at least once in their lives. This indicator does not include the use of cannabis, which is shown in the indicator "Cannabis consumption (age: 15‒64)".
The indicator is based on a combination of questions on drug use. A specific question is asked for each of the substances cocaine, ecstasy and heroin. The question about taking other drugs is a general one with examples of the substances speed, LSD, amphetamine or magic mushrooms.
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