Psychoactive substances, users and markets: recent trends (2015-2016)

This edition of Tendances summarises the main developments marking the sixteenth year of observation conducted by the network comprising seven sites (Bordeaux, Lille, Marseille, Metz, Paris, Rennes and Toulouse) extended to Lyon in 2016. 

The first part, dedicated to the changing contexts and practices relating to substance use, touches on the recreational scene, strategic venues for certain types of substance use and the development of "chemsex" among part of the gay community. 

The analysis then focuses on the transformations in trafficking, marked by a rise in violence and the need for traffickers to seek out users who are increasingly reluctant to frequent traditional dealing sites. 

Lastly, the last part of this edition deals with the substances, particularly MDMA/ecstasy and its growing success, medications containing codeine and opioids (with the emergence of first-time users among individuals without a history of illicit drug use), crack and its expanding market in and beyond the Île-de-France region, and the still somewhat limited diffusion of new psychoactive substance (NPS) use.