Drug use linked to Nazi themes increases among Europe's younger generation, Gen Z.
In recent times, there has been a concerning trend emerging in Europe – the rise of far-right political support among the youth. This phenomenon has been observed in various countries, including Germany, France, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands [1]. A declining faith in democracy, support for authoritarianism, and polarizing issues like migration are some factors contributing to this shift [2][3].
However, a more disturbing manifestation of this trend might be the appearance of Nazi-branded party drugs. Last year, Peruvian authorities seized 58 kilos of cocaine destined for Belgium, each block wrapped in Nazi regalia and stamped with the word 'HITLER' [4]. More recently, similar drugs have been confiscated in countries such as western France, Switzerland, Iceland, and the Netherlands [5].
In Kerkrade, Netherlands, police found ecstasy pills imprinted with the Nazi Eagle during a routine traffic stop in late 2023 [6]. Tests in Zurich have revealed that these pills have been used to make both 2C-B and MDMA [7]. Dr. Dubus, an expert in the field, has noted a significant increase in incidents of such drugs this year [8].
The connection between these Nazi-branded party drugs and the rise in far-right youth politics is not explicitly established in current reports. For instance, the confiscated drugs, worth $3 million, were intended for distribution across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Spain [2]. However, no search results directly link these substances to the rise in far-right youth politics.
Dr. Brian Pace, an Affiliate Scholar at the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, suggests that the Nazi symbols on the drugs may indicate an adherence to far-right ideologies [9]. He believes that attempts to dismiss or excuse it as some kind of troll is to concede that one can troll in this way without some level of adherence to far-right ideologies [10].
The rise in far-right political influence across Europe, particularly among younger generations, has been alarming. In Germany, 16% of voters under 25 supported the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the recent EU elections, a significant increase from previous years [11]. In France, the National Rally (RN) has become the most popular party for those under 34, capturing 32% of the vote [12].
In Poland, the far-right Confederation party also saw a substantial rise in support among voters under 30 [1]. The increasing popularity of far-right ideologies among European youth could be fueling this alarming trend, including the emergence of Nazi-branded party drugs.
As we move forward, it is crucial to continue monitoring this situation closely, understanding its implications, and addressing the root causes to prevent further radicalization and promote a more inclusive and democratic Europe.
- The emergence of Nazi-branded party drugs in Europe, such as the ecstasy pills imprinted with the Nazi Eagle found in Kerkrade, Netherlands, could potentially signal an alignment with far-right ideologies among drug manufacturers and users.
- The rise in far-right political support among European youth, as evident in countries like Germany, France, and Poland, might be contributing to the increasing prevalence of Nazi-branded party drugs, as observed in recent times.
