Drug report 2025: EU fights against alarming consumption increase

Drug report 2025: EU fights against alarming consumption increase

Europa - The drug report 2025 shows an alarming increase in illegal drug use in the European Union. In particular, the consumption of cocaine has increased noticeably, which is evidenced by the record quantities of cocaine. In 2022, 323 tons of cocaine were confiscated in the EU member states, with Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands made 68 % of the crowd. Spain recorded the largest individual complaint of 9.5 tons of cocaine in 2023. These are alarming developments that make the EU interior commissioner Magnus Brunner emphasize new challenges through increasing drug crime and violence in cities. According to tagesschau.de Cannabis is still considered the most frequently consumed drug, with an increase to diversified products.

Another worrying trend is the emergence of new synthetic drugs. Since 2009, 88 new synthetic opioids and over 950 new psychoactive substances (NPS) have appeared on the market, which leads to an increasing risk of fatal poisoning. Particularly highly effective opioids such as Cathinone are increasingly in focus. The consumption of mich consumption, i.e. the simultaneous consumption of several substances, also increases and increases health risks. According to Spiegel.de be declared wrongly.

New strategies to combat drug trafficking

In order to counteract the increasing drug crime in Europe, the new European strategy Proteceu is introduced. This strategy aims to prevent the financial flows of drug trafficking and counteract organized crimes. The recruitment of young people, including migrants, as drug treatment and for acts of violence, is particularly worrying. Ylva Johannson from the European Commission emphasizes the need for a network to combat drug trafficking, especially with regard to the globally acting drug gangs, in which criminals from the Western Balkans and South America are also involved, reports euda.europa.eu .

The increasing drug abuse could continue to be influenced by changes in the heroin market. The cultivation of bed poppies in Afghanistan has dropped by 95 % since the ban on the Taliban, which could have an impact on the European heroin market. Although heroin still remains the most frequently consumed illegal opioid in Europe, synthetic opioids are becoming increasingly important, especially in the Baltic states.