BRUSSELS

Drug-related deaths in Europe reached 7,500 in 2023, the EU Drugs Agency (EUDA) announced Thursday and warned of an "emerging threat" from increasingly potent synthetic substances, especially opioids.

In its annual report covering 29 countries, including 27 EU member states plus Norway and Türkiye, the agency noted a sharp surge in the availability of lab-made drugs such as nitazenes, some of which are even more powerful than fentanyl.

Since 2009, authorities have identified 88 synthetic opioids on the European market, with seven new variants detected in 2024 alone. These opioids were linked to fatal overdoses, particularly in Estonia and Latvia, often in combination with other substances.

The agency also reported a rise in counterfeit drugs resembling prescription medications but containing synthetic opioids, highlighting risks from cannabis-like synthetic cannabinoids.

Seizures of synthetic cathinones also climbed to 37 tonnes in 2023, up from 27 tonnes in 2022 and just 4.5 tonnes in 2021. Authorities dismantled 53 illegal production sites last year, mostly in Poland.

Cocaine remains the most-used illicit stimulant in Europe, with 2.7 million young adults aged 15-34 reporting use in 2024. A record 419 tonnes of cocaine were seized across the continent last year, led by Belgium with 124,3 tonnes, followed by Spain and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, cannabis remains the most commonly used drug, with an estimated 24 million users in 2024. The agency warned that some cannabis products are being adulterated with synthetic cannabinoids, posing further risks to public health.

EUDA said that new European alert and monitoring systems are being developed to respond to these rapidly evolving threats.

During the press conference held with the agency, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stressed the need for stronger cross-border and international cooperation, as well as improved lawful access to data to support law enforcement.

"If we do these things (…) we will drive down the supply of illegal drugs, disrupt criminal networks, and, most importantly, we can save lives," he said.