Key facts
- European leaders met to address the expanding illicit drug trade.
- The European illicit drug market is estimated to be worth €31 billion.
- Leaders called for a coordinated effort across local, regional, national, EU, and international levels.
- The strategy emphasizes preparedness, public health protection, and security enhancement.
- EU home affairs ministers had previously agreed on the EU drugs strategy for 2026-2030.
European leaders convened in Brussels to address the escalating illicit drug market, estimated at €31 billion, urging enhanced coordination among EU institutions, member states, and international partners to combat drug trafficking and related harms. For the first time, challenges linked to drug use and trafficking were discussed at the EU leaders' level. Bart De Wever, Belgium's Prime Minister, highlighted that organized crime knows no boundaries and that the response to this threat must extend beyond national borders. The rapidly expanding European drug market involves new psychoactive substances and complex supply chains utilizing encrypted apps and online markets. Leaders emphasized a comprehensive, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach based on evidence. This approach includes enhancing preparedness, protecting public health, strengthening security, preventing drug-related harm, and fostering European and international partnerships, such as the European Coalition Against Drugs, alongside law enforcement cooperation with third countries. Earlier in the month, EU home affairs ministers had agreed on the implementation of the EU drugs strategy for 2026 to 2030.