EU drug report warns of rising health and crime risks across Europe

The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) released the European Drug Report 2026, covering data from 29 countries (EU‑27, Norway and Turkey). The report highlights a rapid evolution of drug markets, with a growing range of high‑potency or high‑purity substances. New psychoactive substances are appearing at a rate of about one per week, with 50 newly identified in 2025, bringing the total monitored to 1,050. Cannabis products, opioids and stimulants are expanding, and polydrug use is common. Vaping and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine or synthetic cannabinoids are now widespread among European adolescents.

The agency notes that drug‑related intimidation and violence persist, and criminal groups are increasingly recruiting vulnerable youth. Traffickers are adapting by using smaller ports, high‑speed boats, semi‑submersibles, drones and other sophisticated concealment methods, complicating detection by law‑enforcement and customs. In response, the EU has outlined a new EU Drugs Strategy, a European Action Plan against drug trafficking, and proposed stricter controls on drug precursors.

A complementary EUDA publication examines the environmental impact of cocaine production, prepared with Peru’s DEVIDA. It documents deforestation, water, soil and air pollution from chemicals such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acids, kerosene and gasoline used throughout the cocaine supply chain, and calls for systematic monitoring using satellite imagery, drones and laboratory analysis.