Cocaine evaluation 2024
In 2024, a total of 1460 samples declared as cocaine were handed in for analysis at the Zurich Drug Information Center (DIZ) and during the mobile drug checks. 1346 of these samples were submitted as part of the outpatient drug checks and 114 as part of the ten mobile drug checks.
The average cocaine content of the samples analyzed at the DIZ and during mobile drug checks in 2024 was 81.8 % cocaine* HCl. Compared to the previous year, there was a decrease in the average active substance content of 5.1 %. Nevertheless, the cocaine content is still very high at 81.8 %.
The cocaine content of the samples tested also varied greatly in 2024 and was between 0.6 % and 100 %.
In 2024, 36.2 % of the samples declared as cocaine contained at least one pharmacologically active extender or another psychoactive substance. This shows a significant increase in extenders in cocaine samples compared to the previous year.
Over the past 10 years, levamisole has been the most common pharmacologically active extender in cocaine samples. The number of samples diluted with levamisole decreased steadily during this period. In 2024, levamisole was detected in 8.1 % of cocaine samples.
In 2024, however, the most common pharmacologically active diluent was the local anaesthetic procaine: procaine was found in 21.3 % of the samples declared as cocaine. This sharp increase in samples laced with procaine explains the striking increase in the proportion of laced cocaine samples in 2024. It is not possible to say with certainty what this development is due to.
The detailed cocaine evaluation 2024 can be found in the attached report. These are the most important findings from 2024:
- In 2024, the average cocaine content decreased by 5.1 percentage points compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the cocaine content is still very high at 81.8%, which poses an increased risk of overdose.
- The active ingredient content in the analyzed samples varies greatly. If users do not know the active ingredient content of their cocaine, it is difficult to dose cocaine at a lower risk. It is therefore advisable to use drug checking whenever possible.
- Cocaine is a substance with a high potential for harm and dependence. The fact that a sample does not contain any extenders should not lead to the conclusion that consumption is harmless.
- Despite the still high average proportion of active ingredients, 36% of cocaine samples were still laced with at least one pharmacologically active extender in 2024. This represents an additional health risk.
- Many users, as well as some experts, have myths about cocaine extenders (e.g. "rat poison"). In recent years, the same extenders have always been detected in the DIZ and the corresponding fears cannot be confirmed. In general, extenders are not used to harm users, but mainly to optimize profits. The criteria for the use of extenders are therefore a low purchase price, availability, similar chemical properties (melting point), similar appearance and enhanced effect (to simulate better quality).
Further information on cocaine can be found on our website here. The results published here are not representative of the substance market in the city of Zurich.
