Europe Detects 50 New Narcotic Substances in One Year Amidst Rising Opioid Threat

Europe is confronting an escalating danger from the proliferation of synthetic opioids and novel psychoactive substances, according to the European Union's drug agency. While overdose deaths remain lower than in the United States, experts warn of an impending "tsunami" of new substances threatening public health. In 2025, at least 50 new psychoactive substances were identified across Europe, based on data from the EU's Lisbon-based agency, which analyzed information from 27 EU countries, Norway, and Turkey. Experts report a continuous increase in the diversity and availability of these dangerous substances.

The report highlights the growing risk posed by nitazenes, synthetic opioids that are up to 250 times more potent than heroin. Even minuscule amounts, equivalent to a few grains of sand, can be fatal, causing respiratory and cardiac arrest. These substances are frequently used to adulterate heroin but have also been found in black market benzodiazepine pills, as well as in cocaine and ketamine. Data indicates that nitazenes were linked to 195 deaths in England and Wales in 2024, a nearly fourfold increase from the previous year. Fentanyl, another extremely potent opioid, was responsible for over 100 deaths in Bulgaria between 2024 and 2025, with cases spreading from Sofia to other cities. In 2024, fentanyl was also detected in Thessaloniki, Greece.

In Greece, a significant concern is the rise in HIV cases associated with intravenous drug use. Reports exceed five per million inhabitants, accounting for over 10% of new infections and indicating a growing social problem. The report also warns of changes in drug trafficking networks, with cocaine now being imported through smaller ports that have lower security measures. Concurrently, large quantities of cannabis are reaching Europe from the United States and Canada, where decriminalization has led to overproduction.

In 2024, EU countries reported approximately one million drug seizures, with cannabis accounting for 68% of the total. The illegal cannabis market in Europe is estimated to have an annual turnover of about $12 billion. Cannabis remains the most widely used drug, with 24.9 million individuals aged 15-64 reporting use in the past year. The use of drones and speedboats by traffickers complicates authorities' operations, making the fight against the phenomenon more complex. Cocaine remains the second most prevalent drug, with 4.3 million individuals aged 15-64 reporting use in the previous year.