The DIZ publishes quarterly reports on the cocaine samples tested at the DIZ and during mobile outreach operations. These reports supplement the annual reports and are intended to raise awareness of the specific risks associated with cocaine use. The results published here are not representative of the entire drug market in the city of Zurich.
Cocaine is a substance with a comparatively high potential for harm and addiction. In addition to the well-known risks, the frequent presence of pharmacologically active cutting agents poses an additional health risk that is difficult to assess, particularly for regular users. These risks rarely involve acute side effects but primarily long-term consequences. The higher the cocaine content, the greater the risk of an overdose. High-dose cocaine can also place a heavy strain on the cardiovascular system and, under certain circumstances and given specific physical conditions, trigger a heart attack or stroke. Recommendations for minimizing risks when using cocaine are available.
- In the first quarter of 2026, 353 samples declared as cocaine were submitted for analysis at the Drug Information Center (DIZ), during mobile outreach operations at the City of Zurich’s contact and drop-in centers, and during mobile drug-checking operations in nightlife venues. 302 of the 353 samples (85.5%) contained no psychoactive substances other than cocaine. 44 of the 353 samples (12.5%) contained cocaine and at least one other unexpected psychoactive substance. 7 samples (2.0%) contained no cocaine, but rather other psychoactive substances. This represents a slight increase in the proportion of unexpected substances compared to 2025 and compared to the previous quarter.
- As in the previous quarter, levamisole is the most common unexpected ingredient. Thirty of 353 samples contained levamisole, with an average proportion of 16.1% in these samples. Procaine, which was common in recent years, was found in only a few samples in the second quarter of 2026. Other regularly occurring unexpected ingredients include caffeine and phenacetin. For procaine, caffeine, and phenacetin, the average concentration ranged between 20 and 30% in each case.
- The average cocaine content of the samples analyzed in the second quarter of 2026 was 84.7%. This represents a slight decrease in the average content compared to 2025. However, when viewed over a multi-year period, this is still a high figure.
- In addition, there were a few samples that contained other unexpected substances. These were mainly other known psychoactive substances (MDMA, amphetamine, ketamine, acetaminophen) or impurities resulting from the synthesis process.
Detailed information on cocaine, cutting agents, and safer-use guidelines can be found on our website. The detailed analysis for the year 2025 is available in the Downloads section.
