Overall Prevalence of Substance Use in Austria

"In Austria, experience of illicit drug use primarily concerns cannabis, with prevalence rates of approximately 30% to 40% among young adults. According to the majority of representative studies, approximately 2% to 4% of the population have had experience of ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamines, and approximately 1% and a maximum of 2% have had some experience of opioids (see Table A1 and Table A2). In recent years, the range of substances taken in the context of experimental use has widened. Within certain scenes and groups of young people, high prevalence rates are found for a variety of substances, including biogenic drugs, solvents and inhalants. However, in most cases, use of illicit substances is limited to a short period in life. Very few data are available regarding the use of research chemicals and legal highs in the general population, which, however, indicate insignificant prevalence levels, in contrast to the great interest in this theme reflected by media coverage."