Young people in the Western Balkans are users of cannabis. This drug was the most frequently reported, followed by over-the-counter antidepressants at 22% and cocaine at 21%.

Over 65% of those who reported using cannabis stated that they used it “to reduce stress” or “to relax.”

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction highlighted these findings, which were based on young people over the age of 18 from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

Only 3% had received treatment for substance abuse. The survey was conducted in 30 languages between May and July 2024 and included over 66,000 Europeans from 31 countries who responded to the questions online.

About 84% of those who reported using the drug “ecstasy” found at festivals, and over 50% who reported using cocaine, amphetamines, and ketamine, stated that they used these substances “for fun.” Cocaine was most commonly used in bars or clubs.