Drugnet Europe: December 2025

 

December 2025 MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Final statement from Alexis Goosdeel As our Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel, concludes his 10-year mandate at the helm of the agency, he offers a personal reflection on a decade marked by profound transformation. These were years shaped by crises and uncertainty: major terrorist attacks in Europe, the migration emergency, instability in neighbouring regions, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other new geopolitical tensions. Each of these events has affected public health, security and social cohesion. Against this backdrop, the drug phenomenon in Europe has evolved at an unprecedented pace and scale. The statement is available in 25 languages. Read more >> | Video >> GOVERNANCE Management Board shapes priorities and partnerships for 2026 and beyond Our Management Board met in Lisbon from 11-12 December to address a range of strategic, operational and governance issues that will shape the future of the agency. The meeting, presided over by Chair Dr Franz Pietsch, was the final session attended by the agency's Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel, whose mandate ends on 31 December. Reflecting on the meeting, Dr Franz Pietsch, said: 'Today marks both an ending and a beginning. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Alexis Goosdeel for his exceptional service — 35 years dedicated to European drug policy and a decade guiding the agency through profound transformation. Alexis’ integrity, vision and unwavering dedication have strengthened the agency and the European response to drugs. As we welcome Dr Lorraine Nolan, we look forward with confidence to the next phase of growth, innovation and impact.’ Read more >> EU DRUGS STRATEGY  Commission presents new EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan to protect citizens and disrupt criminal networks On 4 December, the European Commission presented a new EU Drugs Strategy, an Action Plan against drug trafficking and updated rules for monitoring and controlling drug precursors. Announced by President von der Leyen in her political guidelines (2024-29), and a key deliverable under the European Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU), these documents set out a comprehensive EU response to the security, health, social and environmental challenges linked to the trafficking and use of illicit drugs. The EU Drugs Strategy focuses on five key areas: enhancing preparedness and response; protecting public health; strengthening security; preventing drug-related harm and building stronger partnerships. Read more >>  HOSPITAL EMERGENCIES Shedding light on drug-related hospital emergencies in Europe Every year, thousands of people across Europe require hospital treatment for drug-related poisoning and other acute harms. In a new EUDA analysis published on 17 December, European Drug Emergencies Network (Euro-DEN Plus): data and analysis, we provide the latest findings on people who present with acute drug-toxicity to hospital emergency services. Drawing on data from 29 sentinel hospitals in 19 countries (18 EU Member States plus Norway), the results show that cocaine is the most commonly reported drug in these cases, that men account for three-quarters of the presentations and that polydrug use is common. Read more >>  New technical report provides insights into drug-related hospital emergencies in Western Balkans and Southern Neighbourhood countries This month, we launched a new technical report, Collection of drug-related hospital emergency data in Western Balkans and Southern Neighbourhood countries using Euro-DEN Plus methodology, presenting the latest findings from a multi-country data-collection exercise carried out between July and December 2024. The study, funded by the EU under EUDA-implemented technical cooperation projects (EU4MD II, IPA8), builds on three previous cycles of data gathering. Twelve sentinel hospital emergency departments — nine located in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood and three in the Western Balkans — contributed data on acute drug toxicity presentations. The study further consolidates the use of the Euro-DEN Plus methodology in partner regions.  Read more >> | Technical report >> NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES EUDA and Polish Police host expert workshop on synthetic cathinones This month, the EUDA and the Polish Police Central Bureau of Investigation co-hosted an expert workshop in Warsaw to address emerging challenges related to synthetic cathinones. The two-day event brought together law enforcement and forensic experts from 10 EU Member States and three partner countries from the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)-East area: Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine. The workshop aimed to enhance law enforcement and forensic cooperation between the EU and ENP-East countries in addressing the emerging issue of synthetic cathinone production and trafficking. It was organised in the framework of EMPACT and was supported by the EU4Monitoring Drugs II (EU4MD II) project, funded by the EU. In recent years, Europe has seen the rapid spread of synthetic cathinones, which pose a serious risk to public health and safety.  Read more >>  MULTILINGUAL Prison-related resources At the EUDA, we believe that communicating in multiple languages is key to sharing evidence and supporting best practice across Europe and beyond. Our European Questionnaire on Drug Use among People Living in Prison (EQDP) and its Methodological guidelines (originally in English) are now available in French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic — with more languages coming soon. These resources help researchers and professionals to gather vital data on drug use in prison settings and to design effective interventions.   ➡️ Questionnaire (EQDP) >>   ➡️ Methodological guidelines >> Seven-step guide now available in Spanish and French How do you evaluate drug policy effectively? Our seven-step guide helps policymakers and managers commission and oversee evaluations that make a real impact. To make this content more accessible, we have added two new language versions to the mix: Spanish and French. Also available in English and Polish.  Read more >> INTERNATIONAL International cooperation bursaries offered for European Drugs Winter and Summer Schools The EUDA and Iscte — University Institute of Lisbon are delighted to announce the availability of bursaries for the 2026 European Drugs Winter and Summer Schools (EDWS, EDSS). The bursaries are offered via the EUDA technical cooperation projects IPA8 and EU4MD II, funded by the European Union. Deadlines for both IPA8 and EU4MD II bursary applications: ➡️ 31 January 2026 for the EDWS. ➡️ 15 March 2026 for the EDSS. Read more >> | Regular registration >>  LEARNING Webinar recording: preventing youth involvement in drug markets The involvement of young people in drug markets is a growing concern across Europe, with implications for public health, safety and social cohesion. Our webinar on 10 December explored innovative and evidence-informed approaches to prevent the recruitment and involvement of young people in drug markets across Europe. Drawing on interventions implemented in various European countries, the session examined how these strategies can disrupt pathways into drug-related criminality and offer meaningful alternatives for at-risk young people. For those who missed it, a recording is now available.  Read more >> | Recording >>  Webinar recording: care without conditions Across Europe, people who use drugs face persistent barriers to housing, decent work, healthcare and safety. All too often, ‘reintegration’ tends to be tied to abstinence, at the risk of excluding those who are not ready, or do not wish, to stop using psychoactive substances. Our webinar on 3 December, Care without conditions — housing-first and employment-first approaches, brought together representatives from three inspirational European programmes to share how they deliver reintegration on people’s own terms, focusing on dignity, health, safety and opportunity rather than on abstinence. For those who missed it, a recording is now available.  Read more >> | Recording >> Webinar recording: tech-based responses to drug problems  Tech is reshaping how we respond to drug-related health and social challenges. In our recent webinar on 29 October, we explored how digital innovations are enhancing health and social support for people who use drugs. Participants gained insights into how technology can bridge gaps in access, provide timely interventions and support vulnerable populations. The session brought together leading experts to discuss the potential of tech-based solutions in reducing risks and expanding the reach of public health and social services. For those who missed it, a recording is now available.  Read more >> | Recording >> European Drugs Winter School 2026 The special focus of this online course will be ‘The role of social media in the drugs field', looking at how social media influence drug markets, use trends and response strategies. Over two weeks, participants will attend live lunchtime lectures from leading experts and take part in interactive exercises and virtual fieldwork tours. The sessions will be recorded and available to the students for subsequent viewing. Those wishing to obtain academic credits are required to complete exercises and sit an exam.  Dates: 2–13 March 2026. Early bird rate: available until 31 December 2025.  Read more >> | News item | Register >>  European Drugs Summer School 2026 Held in Lisbon, this face-to-face two-week course places special focus on 'A whole-of-society approach to drugs', examining how communities, professionals, policymakers and people who use substances and their families can move from awareness to effective action. Study visits will take participants to one of Portugal’s commissions for dissuasion, as well as to mobile methadone units and a drug consumption room. During the course, students will participate in daily in-person lectures as well as group exercises and interactive workshops to discuss their own projects and views. The course will conclude with an open debate with guest speakers. Those wishing to obtain academic credits are required to sit a final exam.  Dates: 22 June–3 July 2025 (Lisbon).  Early bird rate: available until 31 March 2026.  Read more >> | News item | Register >> AGENCIES EUDA at JHA Agencies’ meeting ahead of 2026 presidency EUDA Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel, and incoming Executive Director, Dr Lorraine Nolan, participated in the meeting of the Heads of EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Agencies in Vienna from 4–5 December. The meeting, which marked 25 years of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, covered key topics of interest to the nine agencies, including the EU Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU), the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security and the EU AI Act. A dialogue with Javier Zarzalejos, Chair of the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee, helped align agency work with the Committee’s priorities. The meeting adopted the JHA Agencies’ Network (JHAAN) 2026 work programme, which the EUDA will lead as it prepares to take on the JHAAN presidency in January 2026. Read more >> EDR SURVEY European Drug Report 2025: take our user survey! Have you explored the latest trends and developments on drugs in Europe in our European Drug Report 2025? If so, we’d love to hear your feedback! We’ve launched a short user survey to better understand how you use the report, what you find most useful and how we can improve it to better meet your needs. Your input will help us shape future editions. Thank you! Take the survey >> | EDR 2025 >> RECRUITMENT Enterprise architect  Are you ready to join our digital transformation? If so, check out our latest job vacancy. We’re hiring an Enterprise Architect (AD 6) to lead the design and evolution of our IT architecture and ensure it supports our mission effectively. The role involves: ➡️ aligning IT systems with the EUDA’s business needs; ➡️ driving innovation and integration across platforms; ➡️ ensuring security, scalability and interoperability. 📅 Deadline: 2 January 2026 (extended!) | Read more >>  Seconded National Expert on law enforcement We’re looking for a Seconded National Expert on law enforcement to join our Policy, crime and markets unit. This expert will help advance our work on drug markets, crime and law enforcement cooperation across Europe. The role involves:  ➡️ monitoring drug markets and crime trends; ➡️ supporting strategic analysis and data tools; ➡️ representing us in expert meetings and training events; ➡️ liaising with national and international law enforcement bodies. 📅 Deadline: 23 January 2026 | Read more >>  Deputy accounting officer We’re looking for a Deputy accounting officer (AST 4) to join the EUDA Directorate. This role is crucial for ensuring sound financial management and compliance with EU accounting standards. The successful candidate will assist the Accounting officer and act as their deputy when needed. Key responsibilities: ➡️ implementing accounting operations, postings and reconciliations; ➡️ managing treasury and cash-flow forecasting; ➡️ preparing and presenting EUDA accounts; ➡️ coordinating audits and ensuring robust internal controls; ➡️ deputising for the Accounting officer in their absence. 📅 Deadline: 6 January 2026 | Read more >>  SEASON'S GREETINGS Season’s greetings from the EUDA! Wishing all of our readers a restful and enjoyable holiday period.  We look forward to seeing you in 2026!

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