EU Launches New Drug Agency Amid Discovery of Over Twenty New Narcotics in Europe

Twenty-six new psychoactive substances were discovered for the first time in Europe in 2023. This was reported by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in its annual report on Tuesday, 7sur7 reports.

High-strength synthetic substances, new drug mixtures, and changing consumption patterns are an increasing threat in Europe, the document says.

The availability of drugs also remains high in Europe, where the market offers a range of products. People who use drugs are now exposed to a wider range of psychoactive substances, which are often stronger or purer, or appear in new forms, mixtures or combinations.

One of the key messages of this year's report is that ‘polysubstance use’, the simultaneous or sequential use of two or more psychoactive substances, is now widespread in Europe.

‘Whether it is the use of benzodiazepines with opioids or cocaine with alcohol, this pattern of consumption can increase health risks and make it more difficult to implement interventions (e.g. in cases of overdose),’ warns EMCDDA. 

‘These difficulties are further compounded when people unknowingly consume drug mixtures.’

The report highlights concerns related to high-level synthetic opioids, which are sometimes sold inappropriately as medicines or other drugs or mixed with these substances. These include MDMA adulterated with synthetic cathinones and cannabis products adulterated with synthetic cannabinoids. 

‘Consumers may not know what they are consuming and put themselves at risk of serious health problems, including possible fatal poisoning,’ EMCDDA warns in its summary.

In this regard, the new European Union Medicines Agency (EUDA) will be launched on 2 July. One of its priorities will be to better understand trends in drug use and effective interventions for prevention, treatment and risk reduction.