Wastewater Analysis: Estimating drug consumption
England-level consumption and market value estimates for 6 key drugs (2024 to 2025) and usage patterns in England and Scotland (2021 to 2025).
Applies to England and Scotland
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This report presents the latest findings from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) Programme, which estimates drug consumption in England and Scotland. Since 2021, WAND has collected samples from wastewater sites to provide robust estimates of drug use.
For the first time, England-level estimates of consumption and market values are provided for 6 key drugs:
- cocaine
- ketamine
- heroin
- amphetamine
- MDMA
- methamphetamine
These experimental estimates use a new analytical method, extrapolating data from 42 sites covering 28% of England’s population. Estimates suggest that cocaine had the highest consumption and market value, followed by ketamine.
The report also presents trends in drug consumption in England and patterns of drug use in England and Scotland between 2021 and 2025. Over this period, consumption is estimated to have increased for ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine and cocaine and decreased for heroin and amphetamine.