Key facts
- Europe's drug market is becoming more complex.
- Potent opioids, stronger cannabis, and novel substances are contributing factors.
- New synthetic illicit opioids are entering the European market.
- These trends are linked to a record number of drug-related deaths in Europe last year.
The European drug market is becoming increasingly intricate, presenting new and amplified health risks, according to a warning issued by the EU Drugs Agency. The agency highlighted the growing prevalence of potent opioids, stronger varieties of cannabis, and the emergence of novel psychoactive substances as key factors contributing to this complex landscape. This trend is linked to a record number of drug-related deaths on the continent last year, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced public health and regulatory strategies.