France Launches Crackdown on Drug Use Amid Record Cocaine Seizures

The French government unveils a campaign targeting recreational drug users, linking their habits to violence and record drug-related deaths.

• French authorities seized 53.5 tonnes of cocaine in 2024, more than double the amount intercepted in 2023, as the country grapples with rising drug use.
• Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau emphasized the link between recreational drug use and violent crime, warning users that their actions fund deadly trafficking networks.
• A new awareness campaign features stark messaging, including visuals of cocaine use igniting fires and violence, with the tagline: 'Every day, people pay the price for the drugs you buy.'
• Over 110 drug-related deaths were recorded in 2024, including cases involving minors, as authorities express concern over the recruitment of teenagers by trafficking gangs.
• The government has introduced measures to combat the drug trade, including increased fines for users, expanded police resources, and plans for a specialized drug crime prosecutor's office.

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