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Cocaine was once again the most frequently tested substance at the Contact Foundation in Bern in 2023. The active substance content increased again. (symbolic image)
Keystone
Cocaine was the most frequently tested substance in the Contact Foundation's drug checking service in 2023. The active ingredient content increased and the use of extenders was widespread, as reported by Contact.
Cocaine was the most frequently tested drug, ahead of amphetamine, cannabis and MDMA, as Contact wrote in a press release on Tuesday.
The average cocaine content continued to rise. 84 percent of the cocaine samples submitted contained more than 80 percent cocaine.
Almost a third of the cocaine samples analyzed contained at least one extender. One in ten of these samples contained the veterinary worming agent levamisole. According to Contact, this poses an additional health risk.
Amphetamine continues to be the most frequently diluted substance, the report continued. The active ingredient content of MDMA pills can vary greatly. Both pose considerable risks when consumed.
Contact analyzed a total of 1501 samples at the Bern and Biel locations. With the exception of the cannabis samples, the analyses were carried out in the canton's pharmaceutical control laboratory. As in previous years, significantly more samples were submitted by men than by women. In stationary drug checking, the proportion of men was 87 percent, in the mobile service 89 percent.
02.07.2024, 12:08
