EUROPEAN DRUG REPORT 2022

 

Issue 154: June 2022 EUROPEAN DRUG REPORT 2022 Drug supply and use bounce back after COVID-19 disruption On 14 June, the EMCDDA published its European Drug Report 2022: Trends and Developments, the latest annual review of the drug situation in Europe. Based on data from 29 countries (EU 27, Turkey and Norway), the report explores long-term trends and emerging threats. It describes how drug availability remains at high levels across the EU and how potent and hazardous substances are still appearing. There are also signs that drug use is returning to pre-pandemic levels. At a time when the international situation raises new challenges, the report looks at how ongoing global events may affect the dynamics of Europe’s drugs problem in future.  Report >> | News release >> | Available in 25 languages.  EDR 2022 virtual press conference The official launch of the European Drug Report 2022 took place virtually on 14 June between Brussels, Vienna and Lisbon, with a panel comprising: European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson; Chair of the EMCDDA Management Board, Franz Pietsch and EMCDDA Director, Alexis Goosdeel. The Commissioner urged that more needed to be done to reduce drug supply, demand and drug-related harm, as outlined in the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan. For this reason, she had proposed to give the EMCDDA a stronger mandate: 'A mandate allowing the monitoring of poly-substance use... a mandate allowing examination of drug markets... and a mandate allowing early and deep investigations into complex new threats'. The three speeches were followed by a Q&A session for journalists. Press conference recording >> | Speeches >>  Message from the EMCDDA Director The European Drug Report 2022 arrives at a time when recent major global events have impacted profoundly on all areas of our life and, therefore, also have implications for the drug problems we are facing in Europe today. Our flagship report is designed to help Europe be better prepared to meet these challenges. For me, the take-home message that stands out from our analysis of drug trends in 2022 can be summarised as ‘Everywhere, Everything, Everyone’. Today, we face a situation where we can observe the impact of drug problems almost everywhere. Almost anything with psychoactive properties is now at risk of appearing on the market. And, either directly or indirectly, everyone is in some way impacted by the use of drugs. I am proud that, with the release of the European Drug Report 2022, the EMCDDA continues to help Europe be better prepared for current and future challenges. Read more >>  Presentation at the European Parliament On 15 June, the EMCDDA Director presented the highlights of the European Drug Report 2022 to the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). A recording is available. Recording >>  2022 Statistical Bulletin  Over 500 tables and graphs presenting the latest data on the European drug phenomenon are available in the 2022 Statistical Bulletin. Published annually, this important resource is one of the EMCDDA’s key outputs, underpinning the analysis presented in the European Drug Report 2022. It contains the most recent core national data and trends provided by the EU Member States. The information is organised according to 10 data sets, covering health, crime and market indicators, ranging from the prevalence of drug use and the demand for treatment to the price and purity of drugs and drug seizures. The Statistical Bulletin is searchable by series and by country and the results may be viewed on screen or downloaded for further analysis in Excel format.  Read more >> NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES 25 years of monitoring and responding to new drugs in Europe — update This year, the EU Early Warning System (EWS) on new psychoactive substances (NPS) celebrates its 25th anniversary. Operated by the EMCDDA, in close cooperation with Europol and partners, it was the first regional early-warning mechanism set up to monitor and respond to uncontrolled new drugs. In a new report published on 14 June, the EMCDDA reflects on the achievements of the system over a quarter of a century and on Europe’s NPS situation: past, present and future. In three parts, the publication presents the history and development of the system, an update of work in 2020–21 and lessons learned to help meet future challenges. Report >> | News release >> EU Early Warning System timeline  Take a journey through our timeline plotting 25 years of monitoring and responding to NPS in Europe. Read more >> EWS annual meeting  The EU Early Warning System network held its annual meeting in Lisbon on 7 and 8 June. The focus of the meeting was ‘25 years of early warning and response to new psychoactive substances in Europe: past, present, future’. An EWS meeting for the European Neighbouring Policy (ENP) countries took place on 9 June under the EU4Monitoring Drugs (EU4MD) project.  Read more >> GOVERNANCE General Report of Activities 2021 2021 was a year of transformation for the EMCDDA as the agency reached new milestones in its journey towards a customer-centric, data-driven and digitally-enabled organisation. These developments are described in the latest General Report of Activities released on 15 June. The annual report presents the implementation of the agency’s work programme activities in 2021, by providing an overview of key achievements and governance. During the year, the agency produced 49 scientific and institutional publications, as well as 25 co-authored scientific articles and book chapters. The EMCDDA also kept pace with current threats, releasing four new COVID-19 special reports and formally notifying 52 NPS (a 15 % increase from 2020). Report >> | News item >> WEB SURVEYS Monitoring drug use in the digital age The online space has become increasingly relevant in identifying trends in illicit drug supply and demand. With increased internet activity globally, drug-related social interactions and purchases have also partially moved online. Against this backdrop, web surveys have become a key element in a range of tools used to monitor the drug phenomenon. In a new set of papers released this month, the EMCDDA explores the future of web surveys in drug data collection and their ‘great promise’ in filling research gaps in the drugs field. The collection of eight papers is the first step by the agency to review the advantages and methodological limitations of web surveys and their potential in supporting policymaking and research.  Read more >>  FUTURES New foresight toolkit for the drugs field Analysing potential futures to support decision-making today is increasingly used in a world characterised by rapid, volatile and complex change. More and more organisations, including EU bodies, are integrating foresight approaches into their activities. Against this backdrop, the EMCDDA launched this month a new online toolkit to help stakeholders in the drugs field implement their own foresight exercise. Read more >>  Preparing for the future — applying a foresight approach in the drugs field To mark the launch of the toolkit, the EMCDDA organised a webinar on 23 June entitled ‘Preparing for the future — applying a foresight approach in the drugs field’. The event aimed to promote a foresight approach and increase foresight literacy among EMCDDA stakeholders, take stock of current initiatives in this area and reflect on possible ways forward. A recording will be available in the coming days.  Read more >>  DRUG MARKETS New drug market videos This month, the EMCDDA released two drug market videos focusing on two analyses launched on 6 May.  Highlights of the online product ‘EU Drug Market: Cocaine’ | Video >>  Highlights of the online product ‘EU Drug Market: Methamphetamine’ | Video >>  LEARNING Webinar recordings available  In case you missed them, you can now watch our recent EMCDDA webinars on the following topics: 25 May: Knowing youth — digital platforms for decision making (ESPAD and beyond) | Recording >>  2 June: Drug consumption rooms in Europe — different realities, challenges and what to expect from the future | Recording >>  RESPONSES Spotlight on e-health Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare services provided through digital technologies (e-health) have developed considerably. They offer several opportunities to respond to substance use problems, ranging from communicating drug-related information and monitoring substance use to educating treatment professionals. The potential and challenges of e-health are explored in a new EMCDDA Spotlight on the topic. Read more >> ADDICTIONS Have you registered for Lisbon Addictions 2022?  Close to 700 people have already registered for Lisbon Addictions 2022, which will take place from 23-25 November 2022 in Lisbon. You can still register for the conference with the regular fee until the end of July! Regular fee: EUR 550 (until 31 July 2022) Late registration: EUR 650 (after 31 July 2022) Register here >> VISITS Vice-Prime Minister of Luxembourg visits EMCDDA Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Health of Luxembourg Paulette Lenert visited the EMCDDA on 20 June during an official visit to Portugal. The Minister met EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel and Chair of the EMCDDA Management Board Franz Pietsch. The focus of the visit was on cannabis policies, following recent developments in Luxembourg in this area. During the meeting, EMCDDA experts provided updates on: cannabis policies within the EU; medical cannabis; CBD/low-THC products; synthetic cannabinoids detected in ‘hemp’ products; and innovative approaches in the framework of regulations of cannabis for non-medical purposes.  Read more >> EMCDDA renews accord with ISCTE-IUL  The EMCDDA and the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL) will be continuing their fruitful 10-year cooperation, thanks to a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two bodies on 23 June in Lisbon. The signatories were Rector of ISCTE-IUL Professor Maria de Lurdes Reis Rodrigues and EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel. The EMCDDA and ISCTE-IUL signed their first MoU in 2011, ahead of the first European Drugs Summer School (EDSS), organised by the two partners in 2012. They renewed the agreement in 2017 for a period of five years. The organisations are currently in the midst of the 2022 EDSS (27 June to 8 July), focusing on 'Community-based interventions for drug-related issues'. Read more >> RECRUITMENT We're hiring! The EMCDDA is looking to recruit a new Head of sector for Human resources management. The successful candidate will be required to support the implementation of the newly adopted EMCDDA business model and contribute to the further development of the agency's HR Sector. The closing date for applications is 02.09.2022. Read more >> #WorldDrugDay   This year #WorldDrugDay (26 June), focused on drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises ('Care in crises'). On this topic, the European Drug Report 2022 explores how ongoing global events may affect the dynamics of Europe's drugs problem in the future. The EMCDDA marked the occasion with a reception for the Lisbon diplomatic community and its partners from the Portuguese authorities. The UN World Drug Report 2022 was launched on 27 June. #WorldDrugDay | #CareInCrises  Related links  News | Events | Publications