Drug use trends in Amsterdam nightlife, 2013

The established club scene in Amsterdam is being challenged. Bright young entrepreneurs are organising parties at alternative venues outside the city centre. In 2013, the key word is ‘rave’. The mounting numbers of students in the city are also affecting Amsterdam’s nightlife. Antenna monitors these developments, as well as the corresponding trends in the field of recreational drug markets. For Antenna 2013 a survey was conducted among 633 visitors of various club nights and raves.
Amsterdam’s nightlife is witnessing a moderation in tobacco smoking and a decrease in cannabis use, but alcohol remains the undisputed number one: almost everyone drinks, often considerable quantities. Ecstasy is bigger and stronger than ever. Average MDMA dosage of ecstasy tablets reached a historical high of 148 mg in 2013. Amphetamine is gaining popularity. Among clubbers and ravers the use of ecstasy and amphetamine has increased sharply in the past five years and consumption of laughing gas has escalated explosively. Cocaine on the other hand was quite stable and has receded somewhat into the background. In addition to the 'classic' drugs, there is modest interest to try novel psychoactive substances (NPS).