Cocaine evaluation 3rd quarter 2024

The DIZ publishes quarterly evaluations of cocaine samples tested at the DIZ and at mobile outreach sites. This is to supplement the annual evaluations and to raise awareness of the specific risks associated with cocaine use. The results published here are not representative of the entire substance market in the city of Zurich.

Cocaine is a substance with a comparatively high potential for harm and dependence. In addition to the known risks, the frequent occurrence of pharmacologically active extenders poses an additional health risk that is difficult to assess, especially for regular users. These are rarely acute side effects, but primarily long-term effects. The evaluation shows that even samples with high cocaine content frequently contained pharmacologically active extenders. In addition, the highly fluctuating cocaine content represents an often underestimated consumption risk. The higher the cocaine content, the greater the risk of overdose. High-dose cocaine can also place a heavy burden on the cardiovascular system and, under certain circumstances and physical conditions, trigger a heart attack or stroke. Information and recommendations for low-risk consumption can be found here.

In the third quarter of 2024 (July to September), 442 samples declared as cocaine were handed in for analysis at the Drug Information Center (DIZ) and at two mobile drug checkings in Zurich. In this quarter, the average cocaine content of the samples analyzed was 79.0 %. Compared to the second quarter of 2024, the average active substance content remained practically identical with a decrease of 0.6 %. The cocaine content of the samples analyzed varied greatly, ranging from 3.4 % to 100 %.

In the third quarter of 2024, 46.8 % of the cocaine samples analyzed were laced with at least one pharmacologically active substance. This corresponds to a further increase of 6.0 % compared to the second quarter and a threefold increase compared to 2023. This means that approximately every second sample submitted to the DIZ was laced with at least one pharmacologically active substance.

-In the third quarter, a further sharp increase in the substance procaine was observed compared to the second quarter. In the second quarter, 20.6 % of all cocaine samples contained procaine; in the third quarter of 2024, this figure was 29.9 %. If a sample contained procaine, this accounted for an average of 20.8 % of the sample content. There were 132 samples in total.

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.

-The proportion of caffeine decreased slightly in the third quarter compared to the second quarter. In the second quarter, 17.3 % of all cocaine samples contained caffeine, compared to 15.6 % in the third quarter of 2024. If a sample contained caffeine, this accounted for an average of 9.0 % of the sample content. There were 69 samples in total.

-The proportion of levamisole in cocaine samples increased slightly in the third quarter compared to the second quarter. In the second quarter, 7.0 % of all cocaine samples contained levamisole; in the third quarter of 2024, this figure was 10.9 %. If a sample contained levamisole, this accounted for an average of 6.9 % of the sample content. There were 48 samples in total.

-A decrease was observed for phenacetin. In the second quarter, 8.1 % of all cocaine samples contained phenacetin, in the third quarter of 2024 3.8 %. If a sample contained phenacetin, this accounted for an average of 18.2 % of the sample content. There were 17 samples in total.

-In addition, a sample was tested that contained 40.1 % heroin in addition to cocaine.

Detailed information on cocaine extenders as well as SaferUse tips can be found on our website.