Drugs: the leap in use and the expansion of the “gamut” of illegal substances

In 2022 in the early warning system EU 41 new substances were registered, bringing the total number of new psychoactive substances monitored by the EMCDDA to 930.

There has been a significant increase in drug seizures in Europe, as well as an increase in their production in the EU countries, but at the same time the range of available illicit substances has increased markedly, according to this year’s European Drug Report, based on data from 27 EU countries, Norway and Turkey.

“Illicit drug problems are found throughout our society” – said the director of the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) Alexis Gustell at the presentation of the study.

“Stubborn illicit substances are widely available, and new substances are constantly coming onto the ‘market’ with inaccurate labeling or in combinations. In 2022, for example, the EU Early Warning System registered 41 new substances, bringing the total to 930. Anyone can suffer the consequences of drug use, directly or indirectly, and EU citizens may be more exposed to drug-related violence.” added Alexis Gustell.

In 2021, EU member states have withdrawn three hundred and three tons of cocaine. In 2022, 110 tons were seized in Antwerp alone, compared to 91 tons the previous year. Organized crime groups that are involved in drug trafficking are now keen to divert their cargoes to small ports within the EU or to border states to go unnoticed by the authorities.

“My recent visits to ports in Europe and Latin America have shown that drug traffickers continue to infiltrate supply chains, exploit workers and burden local communities with violence and corruption,” – said the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson.

The cocaine industry in the EU is also “thriving”. 34 illicit manufacturing laboratories were dismantled in 2021 compared to 23 in 2020. The researchers note that injecting stimulants in combination with heroin or other opioids tends to become commonplace. And among marginalized groups, injecting cocaine and crack cocaine is common.

In 2021, the amount of heroin seized in EU member states will more than double to 9.5 tons. And in Turkey, an unprecedented amount of 22.2 tons was seized. Almost all heroin is produced in Afghanistan, where, however, the Taliban announced a ban on poppy cultivation in April 2022.

Will this ban have a positive effect? There are fears that a possible shortage of heroin on the market could lead to an increase in the use of synthetic opioids, which are highly potent and pose a risk of poisoning and death. To date, 74 such substances have been identified and are extremely widespread in North America. Researchers are concerned that they may affect the health of Europeans in the future.

Under the EMCDDA microscope, lesser-known substances such as ketamine are examined. This substance, widely used in medicine as a pain reliever and anesthetic, is chosen by many for “recreational use”. It is mainly taken through the nose and is often combined with other substances. Its long-term use causes serious problems, for example, with the urinary system. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is becoming the most accessible, cheap and popular substance. In addition to the effect due to its name, its use also comes with risks. It can cause poisoning, burns, and even lung disease.

Numbers

• Cocaine seizures in Europe in 2021: 303 tons
• In Antwerp alone, 110 tons were seized in 2022 compared to 91 tons in 2021
• Heroin seizures in Europe in 2021: 9.5 tons
• Heroin seizures in Turkey in 2021: 22.2 tons
• EU dismantles 32 cocaine labs in 2021, up from 23 in 2020
• In 2022, 41 new psychoactive substances were registered. The total number is 930
• Europeans are the biggest cocaine users at 1.3%, i.e. 3.7 million people used cocaine last year
• Ketamine has also become a popular recreational drug.

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