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

Drugnet Europe: monthly news round-up (April 2022)

 

Issue 152: April 2022 DRUG MARKETS Latest analyses of Europe’s cocaine and methamphetamine markets Drug trafficking is a highly profitable commercial activity and remains a core business for organised crime groups across Europe today. Understanding the reality of the European drug market requires a holistic approach, following the supply chain from production and trafficking to distribution and use. Taking such an approach, the EMCDDA and Europol have joined forces to provide their latest overview of the European illicit market for two stimulant drugs: cocaine and methamphetamine. The findings will be presented in a press conference in Brussels on 6 May.  Read more >> EUROPEAN DRUG REPORT 2022 Save the date: 14 June! The EMCDDA will be launching its European Drug Report 2022: Trends and Developments in a live virtual press conference on 14 June. Based on data from 29 countries (EU 27, Turkey and Norway), the report will deliver the latest overview of the drug situation in Europe. The publication, to be available in 25 languages, is an essential resource for developing evidence-based policies and responses. Accompanying the report will be the 2022 Statistical Bulletin and an update on new psychoactive substances in Europe. Further details on how to register will be available soon on our website. Read more >>   EUROPEAN RESPONSES GUIDE New miniguides on responding to drug use in specific settings The EMCDDA’s Health and social responses to drug problems: a European guide includes a set of miniguides devoted to interventions in specific settings. This month, the agency released the last two miniguides in this bundle, focusing on prison and school settings.   Read more >>  Prison and drugs People in prison are more likely to use drugs than those in the general population. In order to respond to their health and social needs, it is vital to have a sound understanding of the interventions available in prisons and which work best. Many people who are hard to reach via services in the community often access drug services for the first time in prison. Although many interventions have been implemented in this setting, people in prison are still faced with a limited range of treatment options.  Miniguide >>  Schools and drugs Adolescence and young adulthood are life stages often associated with risk-taking and experimentation. Education systems should ensure that schools provide evidence-based prevention programmes and have appropriate policies in place to address substance use. This miniguide provides an overview of what to consider when planning or delivering responses to drug-related problems in school and reviews the available interventions and their effectiveness.  Miniguide >>  LEARNING Webinar recording available ‘Women and drugs in Europe — why gender matters’ was the focus of our first webinar of 2022. For those who missed the event on 30 March, you can now catch up by viewing the recording. The webinar explored recent patterns and trends in drug use among women in Europe and the role played by gender in influencing women’s consumption behaviours across settings. Read more >>  | Watch video >>  European Drugs Summer School 2022 Have you registered for this year's European Drugs Summer School? The event, to take place in Lisbon from 27 June–8 July, will focus on 'Community-based interventions for drug-related issues'. The course will include daily in-person lectures and group exercises plus field visits to a mobile methadone unit, a harm-reduction centre and a mobile drug consumption facility.   Read more >> | Deadline: 5 June 2022. ADDICTIONS Inter.GLAM bursaries  Inter.GLAM is an EU-funded project which aims to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to explore global perspectives and trends that shape drug markets and addictions. As one of the co-producers of #LxAddictions22, Inter.GLAM is offering up to 120 bursaries to support professionals from a variety of sectors who would otherwise not be able to attend the event. The bursaries are aimed at early career researchers, practitioners and decision-makers, particularly from low-income or less research-intensive countries. The selection process will aim to ensure balance in stakeholder profiles, gender, career stage and geography. Bursaries >> | Deadline: 9 May 2022. PARTNERS EMCDDA and Europol Directors discuss future cooperation in The Hague On 29 April, EMCDDA Director Alexis Goosdeel joined Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle in The Hague to discuss future cooperation following recent developments in the agencies’ mandates. The Directors discussed the current drug situation and potential future threats relating to drug-related crime and drug markets. Future activities involving the two agencies include the development of platforms for monitoring criminal activity in darknet drug markets, improving intelligence gathering, and a European Conference on Drug Supply in 2023. Other matters discussed included provision of support for Ukraine, countering internet-based crime, and the ongoing development of the EU Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances, which celebrates 25 years in June. Read more >> VACANCIES We're hiring! We are looking for Administrative and clerical support agents for EMCDDA technical cooperation projects. We will be establishing a reserve list on which to draw according to our project resource needs. Read more >> | Deadline: 13 May 2022. Related links  News | Events | Publications