The European Union’s Drugs Agency (EUDA) has warned against rise of synthetic opioids after reporting an estimated 7,500 drug-related deaths across Europe in 2024, according in its annual report released on Thursday.
EUDA places significant blame on these new drugs, which have been steadily increasing in prevalence.
These are chemically engineered drugs with a particularly potent effect, with fentanyl — known as the ‘zombie drug’ in the United States — being a well-known example.
Since 2009, investigators have identified 88 new synthetic opioids emerging in European markets, with seven new compounds reported in 2024.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that all seven new forms identified are nitazenes, a type of synthetic drug sometimes even more potent than fentanyl.
EUDA indicates that the majority of the 7,500 drug-related deaths in 2023 involved opioids combined with other substances.
In the Baltic states, especially Estonia and Latvia, many overdoses were linked to nitazenes. The agency also warns of the dangers of ‘fake’ medicines, which mimic legally prescribed drugs like benzodiazepines but often contain nitazenes.
EUDA also highlights a substantial increase in the seizures of synthetic cathinones, with 37 tonnes seized in 2023, compared to 27 tonnes in 2022 and 4.5 tonnes in 2021.
Cathinone is the psychoactive ingredient in khat, a plant chewed for its stimulating effects. Seven new cathinone derivatives were identified in Europe in 2024.
In 2023, authorities dismantled 53 production sites for synthetic cathinones, nearly double the number in 2022, most of which were located in Poland. In Belgium, customs seized over 220 tonnes of khat leaves last year, which is 200 times the amount seized in 2016.
When it comes to usage, cocaine remains the most consumed drug in Europe. Approximately 2.7 million young Europeans, aged 15 to 34, admitted to using cocaine in 2024, whether it was snorted, injected, or smoked as crack.
Additionally, 2023 marked the seventh consecutive year of increasing cocaine seizures, with a total of 419 tonnes seized — 96 tonnes more than in 2022.
Belgium topped the list with a record 124.3 tonnes of cocaine seized in 2023, followed by significant quantities intercepted in Spain and the Netherlands.
