A new British study finds that drug use surges during large-scale collective events. Notably, the Eurovision Song Contest ranks among the drug-intensive nights of the year, according to the data.
Researchers at Imperial College London analyzed more than 1,700 wastewater samples from 15 regions of England, enabling a remarkably precise tracing of when and how much is consumed. The result: drug use rises markedly during heatwaves, holidays, and major events — precisely when crowds gather to celebrate together.
Cocaine and ketamine dominate the scene, with England already seeing high baseline levels of use. Cocaine remains consistently present, while substances like MDMA (Ecstasy) tend to surge especially on weekends and around events.
Wider Drug Mix at the ESC
Notably the Eurovision Song Contest stands out: the study describes it as a statistical outlier where several drugs rise sharply at the same time — including cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, and methamphetamine. In that sense, the ESC sits among World Cups or large national celebrations, but it stands apart by showing broader and more varied patterns of use.
According to the researchers, the study could help emergency services plan more effectively. It could also spur targeted public health campaigns. For example, more people used cocaine and other drugs during heat waves. However, health risks are much higher at high temperatures — especially when people mix cocaine and other drugs with alcohol during beer-garden weather.
The ESC final takes place this year on May 16. German fans will likely have to endure again: according to bookmakers, it is far more likely that Sarah Engels and her song “Fire” end up in last place than in first.
