Cocaine evaluation 1st and 2nd quarter 2024

The DIZ publishes quarterly evaluations of the cocaine samples tested at the DIZ and at mobile operations. This supplements the annual evaluations and raises awareness of specific risks associated with cocaine use. The results published here summarize the data from the first two quarters of 2024. They are not representative of the entire substance market in the city of Zurich.

In the first two quarters of 2024, 586 samples declared as cocaine were handed in for analysis at the Drug Information Center (DIZ) and at mobile drug checkings in Zurich (Q1: 314 samples, Q2: 272 samples). The cocaine content in the samples decreased significantly compared to 2023, from 86.9 % in 2023 to 84 % in Q1 2024 and 79.6 % in Q2 2024.

Compared to 2023, there is also a noticeable increase in impurities and extenders.

The proportion of samples containing at least one pharmacologically active impurity or extender rose from 15.2 % (2023) to 40.8 % (Q2 2024). There was a sharp increase in the two substances caffeine and procaine.

In 2023, 2.2 % of all cocaine samples contained caffeine, in Q1 2024 5.7 % and in Q2 2024 17.3 % . If a sample contained caffeine, this accounted for an average of 8.3 % (Q1 2024) and 13.0 % (Q2 2024) of the sample content.

Procaine recorded an even stronger increase. In 2023, 3.1 % of all cocaine samples contained procaine, in Q1 2024 15.9 % and in Q2 2024 20.6 %. If a sample contained procaine, this accounted for an average of 14.5 % (Q1 2024) and 18.5 % (Q2 2024) of the sample content.

Procaine is a local anesthetic agent from the group of local anesthetics used in medicine. In addition to side effects in the central nervous system (e.g. restlessness, seizures, coma), taking procaine can also cause cardiac arrhythmia, a drop in blood pressure and allergic reactions. The intravenous consumption of cocaine mixed with procaine is particularly risky, as in extreme cases it can lead to cardiac arrest. A more detailed risk assessment will be published in the coming weeks.

Both caffeine and local anesthetics have been detected as extenders in cocaine samples for some time. The values for Q2 2024 are the highest values in the past 10 years. However, annual evaluations by the DIZ from over 10 years ago also showed similar and sometimes even higher values.

Cocaine is a substance with a comparatively high potential for harm and dependence. You can find information and recommendations for low-risk consumption as well as information on extenders here.

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