European Drug Report 2023: new look, new format!

 

Issue 166 June 2023 EUROPEAN DRUG REPORT 2023 European Drug Report 2023: new look, new format! On 16 June, the EMCDDA published its European Drug Report 2023: Trends and Developments, the latest annual review of the drug situation in Europe. Based on data from 29 countries (EU-27, Türkiye and Norway), the analysis explores long-term trends and emerging threats. This year, the report describes how greater diversity in drug supply and use is creating new challenges for drug policy and healthcare in Europe. Drug availability remains high across all substance types and the scale and complexity of illicit drug production within Europe continue to grow. People who use drugs are now exposed to a wider range of psychoactive substances, often of high potency and purity. The analysis covers drug use and supply as well as drug-related harms and responses to them. For the first time, the report is delivered in a new modular digital-first format, offering innovative ways to access and interact with the content. Report >> | News release >> EDR 2023 press conference The official launch of the European Drug Report 2023 took place on 16 June at the European Commission in Brussels. The report was presented at a press conference by European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson and EMCDDA Director, Alexis Goosdeel. Congratulating the agency, the Commissioner said: 'This report once more confirms your reputation as a centre of excellence and a vital hub of information and analysis on drugs trends... I can only act, based on facts. And you give me the facts I need'. She added: 'This report and the agency's expanded role helps us identify the trends, coordinate responses and stop the violent awful consequences of drugs'. Speeches and recordings >>  2023 Statistical Bulletin Over 500 tables and graphs presenting the latest data on the European drug phenomenon are available in the 2023 Statistical Bulletin. Published annually, this is one of the EMCDDA’s key outputs, complementing the analysis presented in the European Drug Report 2023. The resource contains the most recent core national data and trends provided by the EU Member States and is organised according to 10 data sets. 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. For the first time, city-level data are included on wastewater analysis, hospital emergency presentations, syringe residue analysis and drug checking. Read more >> GOVERNANCE EMCDDA begins one-year transition period to prepare for new mandate New legislation published on 30 June grants Europe stronger powers to tackle current and future drug problems. The new Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, revises the mandate of the EMCDDA, in order to keep pace with an ever more complex and rapidly changing drug phenomenon. The Regulation, appearing in the Official Journal of the European Union, will enter into force on 1 July, setting the EMCDDA on a one-year transition course to prepare to implement the new mandate. The EMCDDA will become the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) on 1 July 2024, the day on which the regulation enters into application. Regulation >> | News release >>  2022: a year in review On 6 June, the EMCDDA published its latest General Report of Activities — key achievements and governance: a year in review. 2022 was a year of solid progress for the agency as it advanced with designing and delivering more innovative and faster services to its key customers. It was also a year of renewed hope for the future, with the launch of the EU procedure for adopting a new, and broader, mandate for the agency. Overall, the EMCDDA's activities in 2022 demonstrated its commitment to providing valuable information, analysis and training in the field of drugs and drug addiction and to contributing to drug policy and practice across Europe and beyond. Report >> | Read more >>  LEGISLATION Growing complexity and change in cannabis laws in Europe What forms of cannabis regulation are under consideration in Europe? What types of cannabis are controlled? Are cosmetic and wellness products containing cannabis legal? These are among the questions answered in a new report published on 5 June. The publication — Cannabis laws in Europe: questions and answers for policymaking — addresses key issues and frequently-asked questions around cannabis legislation in Europe. Updating a 2017 review, the report describes the state of play of cannabis policies and laws and current approaches to regulation and control. The primary focus of the report is on recreational cannabis use and ongoing developments in this area.   Report >> | News release >> #WORLDDRUGDAY #WorldDrugDay: Growing support in Europe for evidence-based prevention programmes, but more training needed ‘People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention’, was the theme of the 2023 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26 June). The European Drug Report 2023: Trends and Developments describes growing support in Europe for implementing evidence-based substance use prevention programmes, a goal supported through prevention programme registries, training initiatives and quality standards. Despite progress in this area, only 10-15 % of professionals working in the area of prevention in Europe have received evidence-based training or education, underlining the need for more training. The EMCDDA marked #WorldDrugDay with an event on its premises for the Lisbon diplomatic community and its partners from the Portuguese authorities. The guest of honour was Portuguese Minister of Health Manuel Pizarro.  Read more >>  INTERNATIONAL  EMCDDA4GE: Results of two-year cooperation project celebrated at closing event in Tbilisi The results of fruitful cooperation between the EMCDDA and Georgian drug experts were celebrated on 14 June in Tbilisi at the closing event of the two-year EMCDDA4Georgia project. The results included: implementing a general population survey in Georgia; translating and adapting the European Prevention Curriculum to the Georgian context; applying EMCDDA standards for collecting and reporting on key indicators and developing a training programme for drug treatment professionals. This, the first bilateral project between the EMCDDA and Georgia, focused primarily on knowledge transfer and capacity-building in the areas of drug monitoring, reporting, prevention and treatment. A video is available offering an overview. Read more >> | EMCDDA4Georgia >> | Video >> Cooperation with Peru enhanced through new Working Arrangement  Cooperation with Peru was enhanced this month following the signing of a Working Arrangement between the EMCDDA and the Peruvian National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (DEVIDA). The agreement was signed via an exchange of letters between EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel and the Executive President of DEVIDA Carlos Figueroa. Among others, the arrangement allows for cooperation in collecting, processing, summarising and analysing information on the drug situation at national level. Read more >>  LEARNING European Drugs Summer School  The 2023 European Drugs Summer School kicked off on 26 June with a keynote speech by EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel. This year, the course focuses on 'Mental health and drug-related issues'. Over two weeks, 50 students from 28 countries will participate in lectures on drugs and mental health, dual diagnosis and integrated interventions. Study visits will also be organised to one of the Portuguese commissions for dissuasion as well as to mobile methadone units and a drug consumption room in Lisbon. The course will conclude on 7 July with an open debate with guest speakers, followed by an exam for those wishing to obtain credits.  Read more >>  Webinar recording available  'Young people and drug use — how can we keep them safe?' was the title of the latest EMCDDA webinar held on 19 June. The webinar explored different professional perspectives on ‘what to do’ with young people who have experimented with drugs. A recording is now available for those who missed the event. Read more >> | Recording >>  RECRUITMENT We're hiring!  The EMCDDA is looking for a seconded national expert to join its team as a scientific analyst on law enforcement. Duties will include: helping to conceptualise, develop and implement the monitoring of drug supply reduction in Europe, particularly in the field of law enforcement; supporting the development of a network of drug supply experts; analysing, and reporting on, European data on markets, crime and drug supply reduction; and monitoring and analysing the main developments in drug-supply reduction activities and policies in Europe. The post supports the EMCDDA’s overall strategy to contribute to a more secure Europe. Read more >> | Deadline for applications: 31 August 2023. Related links  News | Events | Publications