New synthetic drugs flood Europe weekly, agency warns
Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Official statement
Context piece
- The European drug agency reports a significant increase in new synthetic drugs, with one new substance appearing weekly.
- Health risks are rising due to the unpredictable nature of the drug market and the common practice of combining multiple substances.
- The agency highlights the growing threat of potent synthetic opioids like nitazenes, often disguised as counterfeit medication, and the emergence of vaping synthetic cannabinoids among youth.
Europe is facing a surge in new synthetic drugs, with the European Drugs Agency (EUDA) reporting the discovery of approximately one new psychoactive substance each week. In 2025 alone, 50 new substances were identified, bringing the total number of monitored drugs to 1,050. This rapid evolution of the drug market poses increasing risks to public health, as users may unknowingly consume highly potent substances.
People may be using very strong drugs, often without realizing it themselves.
Lorraine Nolan, executive director of the EUDA, warned that the unpredictable nature of the market heightens dangers. A significant concern is the combined use of different drugs. Opioids remain the leading cause of drug-related deaths, but they are frequently found alongside other substances. These mixtures not only increase the likelihood of fatal overdoses but also complicate medical treatment during emergencies.
The report also identifies the rise of extremely potent synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes and orphines, as a major threat. These substances are increasingly found in counterfeit medications that mimic legal painkillers like oxycodone. In 2024, over 50,000 tablets containing nitazenes were seized, a twofold increase from the previous year. Authorities are particularly concerned about these drugs reaching vulnerable groups, including young people.
People combine drugs in ways that increase the risks.
Furthermore, the EUDA notes a shift in consumption methods, with the vaping of e-cigarettes containing synthetic cannabinoids becoming a growing trend among adolescents. This introduces a new delivery system for potentially harmful substances. To combat the proliferation of synthetic drugs, the agency stresses the importance of the EU Early Warning System, designed to alert member states to new substances and emerging trends at an early stage. Criminal networks are also intensifying recruitment efforts, exploiting social vulnerabilities to enlist young people for drug smuggling and violence, making enforcement increasingly challenging.
The networks exploit social vulnerabilities to recruit young people for drug smuggling and violence.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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