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 third quarter of 2026, 333 samples declared as cocaine were submitted for analysis at the Drug Information Center (DIZ), during mobile outreach operations at the City of Zurich’s drop-in centers and contact points, and during mobile drug testing in nightlife venues. 278 of the 333 samples (83.5%) contained no psychoactive substances other than cocaine. 49 of the 333 samples (14.7%) contained cocaine and at least one other unexpected psychoactive substance. Six samples (1.8%) contained no cocaine but 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 was the most common unexpected ingredient. 18 of 333 samples contained levamisole. The average concentration was 2.6%, which was significantly lower than the figure for the previous quarter (about 16%) and below the 2025 annual average (6.9%). It was notable that phenacetin showed a steady increase compared to the first two quarters and was now detected in 14 samples (about 4%). The average concentration was about 22%. Procaine, which had been common in recent years, was found only in a few samples in the third quarter of 2026. Other regularly occurring unexpected ingredients include caffeine and acetaminophen. For procaine, caffeine, and phenacetin, the average concentration ranged between 10 and 30% in each case.
- The average cocaine content of the samples analyzed in the third quarter of 2026 was 85.8%. This represents a slight increase in the average content compared with the second quarter. However, when viewed over a multi-year period, this is still a high figure. The cocaine content of the samples analyzed varied widely, ranging from 12.4% to 100%.
- In addition, there were a few samples that contained other unexpected substances. Compared to the first two quarters, the proportion of cathinones increased. The majority of misdeclarations involved cathinones such as 2-MMC and 4-CMC. MDMA, 2C-B, and metamizole—a strong pain reliever—were also detected.
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.
