Cocaine use is rising in Finland, support is needed before problems develop

Dal Maso Annuska

18.12.2025 - Cocaine use has increased sharply in Finland in recent years. The development follows a Europe-wide trend, where cocaine availability has grown and seizure volumes have reached record levels. More low-threshold support should be available, especially for occasional users.

Cocaine is still a relatively expensive drug, but increased supply is pushing the price down. This is particularly worrying because a high price has previously protected certain groups from cocaine use, such as young people and people who already have problematic substance use.

“As the price falls, the drug is more often offered also to those who are otherwise in a vulnerable position. We have already seen early indications that the use of crack, smoked cocaine, is increasing especially among people who use a lot of substances,” says Annuska Dal Maso, project manager at Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry.

Use often increases during holidays

Crack cocaine use may also be increased by the growing prevalence of alpha-pvp and the related spread of a smoking culture to Finland. Smoking crack cocaine can speed up the development of dependence, because smoking shortens and intensifies the duration of the drug’s effects.

Wastewater studies show that cocaine use has increased rapidly. However, studies of drug residues linked to injecting and field information do not yet show the increase as strongly, which suggests that occasional use in particular is rising. During long holiday periods and vacation seasons, cocaine use often increases, and it is used together with other substances.

“Cocaine is a stimulant, and its use is never risk-free, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances. Combined use significantly increases the risk of overdose, cardiac symptoms, and other serious harms,” Dal Maso says.

More support is needed also during holiday periods

A user can never know with certainty what an illegal drug contains. Situations have already been reported where people believed they were buying cocaine, but the substance contained, for example, alpha-pvp. People also hesitate to seek help from health services because they fear the consequences of their drug use being revealed.

Calls to the helpline run by Päihdeneuvonta have doubled over a few years, but due to a lack of resources, only every second call can be answered.

“We should have more low-threshold channels for occasional users, where they can get information about the risks of use and where problems can be addressed early,” says Kaisa Åberg, head of Päihdeneuvonta at EHYT.

Services should also be available during public holidays and festive seasons, when occasional cocaine use increases.

“Revealing cocaine use often shocks loved ones as well. Talking about the issue is difficult both for loved ones and for users. That is why anonymous services are especially important, because they make it possible to ask for help without fear of being labelled,” Åberg says.

Päihdeneuvonta, maintained by Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry, is available at 0800 900 45 around the clock, every day of the year. Calls are answered by substance work professionals. Calling is anonymous and free of charge.

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Source: EHYT ry