A new report from the University of Copenhagen reveals that cocaine use has become increasingly normalized among Danish youth, particularly within the so-called Danish cocaine scene, at festival settings like Roskilde Festival, where the drug is often used openly and considered part of the party experience.
The Danish Cocaine Scene Is No Longer Considered Shocking
An in-depth field study conducted during the 2024 Roskilde Festival shows that cocaine has become a regular part of Denmark’s youth and party culture. Conducted by the Criminological Observatory at the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with the university’s Department of Forensic Medicine and the Roskilde Festival itself, the report is based on a wide range of data including interviews, sewage analysis, and even discarded packaging traced back to drug use. The study shows us how cocaine has become a normal part of the younger generations in Denmark.
Roskilde Festival, one of the largest music festivals in Europe, attracts approximately 130,000 attendees each year. For researchers, this gathering provided a unique opportunity to study public drug behavior in a concentrated, real-life setting. At the festival, researchers had a rare chance to observe the Danish cocaine scene in public.
Surveys and Tests Reveal Extent of Drug Use
The study relied on several research methods to identify drug use patterns. Researchers conducted 186 interviews with 541 festival attendees and collected 643 completed surveys about drug habits. The team also employed “garbage archaeology,” documenting abandoned drug paraphernalia such as blister packs and small plastic bags found throughout the festival grounds. Wastewater analyses further confirmed the presence of narcotics like cannabis and cocaine on-site.
One of the study’s most significant findings is the erosion of the perceived danger surrounding cocaine. Many participants now consider the drug to be in the same category as cannabis—a recreational substance with minimal risks. According to the data, 43% of respondents said they had encountered cocaine used openly during concerts or events in camping areas.
Cocaine Viewed as Harmless by Young Users
Researchers noted a troubling shift in drug perception, where cocaine is no longer viewed as a “hard drug.” Many users view it similarly to marijuana, arguing that it causes less antisocial behavior than alcohol. While heroin and other opioids are still categorized as dangerous, cocaine is increasingly seen as a milder tool for enhancing confidence, energy, and social interaction during events.
This normalization is partly driven by the fact that cocaine in Denmark has become easier to obtain, purer in quality, and lower in price. With the rise of digital networks such as encrypted messaging apps and social media platforms, drugs can now be ordered with minimal effort.
Different User Profiles and Growing Dependency
Festival-goers who use cocaine fall into several categories. Some use it recreationally on special occasions such as music festivals, while others—referred to as “weekend warriors”—consume it regularly on Fridays and Saturdays. A worrying trend is the group of users developing daily habits where the drug becomes essential not just to party, but to recover from the aftereffects of partying.
Although some consider it relatively safe, repeated use can lead to a cycle of dependency. Users may consume cocaine to extend social stamina, then rely on it the next day to mitigate exhaustion or crash symptoms, increasing their chances of developing psychological or physical dependence.
Official health data supports this trend. Over the past five years, the number of cocaine-related poisonings in Denmark has risen significantly. For example, recent analyses indicate that street cocaine purity has reached levels last seen in the 1990s, correlating with a national uptick in cocaine-related health emergencies.
Alcohol More Criticized Than Cannabis
Interestingly, festival attendees now express more critical views toward alcohol than cannabis. Many believe cannabis causes fewer aggressive outbursts and physical altercations. The report found that a growing number of young people view cannabis as safer and less socially damaging than alcohol.
Still, researchers caution against romanticizing cannabis, as misuse can also result in mental health issues and dependency.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Investigation
The research team has already completed additional fieldwork at the 2025 Roskilde Festival. While the findings from that study are not yet public, the researchers aim to analyze evolving trends in drug use further and to expand public and policy awareness around this issue.
The study, titled “Trend Report on Drug Use in Danish Party Culture,” offers a sobering look into a shift in societal norms within Denmark’s youth-driven nightlife and festival scenes, raising new challenges for public health officials and educators alike.
