Amphetamine evaluation 2024
In 2024, a total of 280 samples declared as amphetamine were handed in for analysis at the Zurich Drug Information Center (DIZ) and at ten mobile drug checks. 235 of these samples were submitted as part of outpatient drug checks and 45 as part of mobile drug checks.
The detailed amphetamine evaluation 2024 can be found in the attached report.
- The amphetamine content of the samples submitted to the DIZ has remained relatively constant between 58 % and 67.9 % since 2018, but has risen again compared to the previous year and reached 67.9 % in 2024, the highest value ever analyzed.
- It is also striking that most of the samples submitted (around 48 %) are extremely potent with an amphetamine content of over 80 to 100 %. At the same time, around 20 % of the samples still have an active substance content of less than 40 %. These extreme fluctuations can pose a considerable overdose risk for users.
- The most frequently detected psychoactive substances in amphetamine samples are still caffeine and synthetic impurities. It should be noted that many amphetamine users are accustomed to the fast-acting and strong effects of caffeine and often declare a sample diluted with caffeine as "very strong" before analysis. As a result, there is a risk that users will overdose when consuming pure amphetamine due to the more subtle and later-onset effects of these samples.
The number of samples spiked with caffeine increased sharply again in 2024. Caffeine is now present in around every second sample (47.5 %).
- In 2024, there was also another increase in synthetic impurities in amphetamine samples. In 2024, synthetic impurities were present in around a third (31.8 %) of the amphetamine samples purchased on the black market. It was particularly striking that more samples with more than three synthetic impurities were analyzed in 2024. Compared to the previous year, this represents an increase of five percent. This may indicate improper production, which is mainly due to the fact that the substance is produced in illegal laboratories with very different quality standards and expertise. Another reason may be the possible time pressure that producers are under.
- Compared to last year, the number of samples with up to two synthetic impurities remained stable. Contrary to the widespread opinion among consumers, pastes do not indicate a particularly high quality of amphetamine.
You can find more information about amphetamine on our website here.
The results published here are not representative of the substance market in the city of Zurich.
