Now playing Next Health news Xylazine: Flesh-rotting ‘zombie’ drug claims first victim in Europe The first death in the UK linked to the “zombie” drug xylazine raises concerns over the shifting origin of opioid supplies in Europe. 26/05/2023
Now playing Next Health news Move over, CBD: HHC is the new ‘legal cannabis’ causing concern After the boom of CBD, authorities worry about HHC, which can be ingested, smoked or vaped, with effects similar to those of cannabis. 25/05/2023
Now playing Next World News Fentanyl has devastated America. Why is Europe being spared? While fentanyl continues ravaging the US, the European illegal drug market has remained somehow shielded from the deadly synthetic opioid. Is that about to change? 18/05/2023
Now playing Next Italy Italian police dogs find 2,700kg of cocaine hidden in banana crates The seized cocaine was of the finest quality, according to Italian police, and would have earned drug traffickers more than €800 million in street sales in Armenia, where it was destined. 16/05/2023
Now playing Next Health news Cocaine use in Europe: How do EU countries compare? The production of cocaine is no longer an offshore affair. With the increased availability of the drug in the EU, what does it mean for consumption? 28/03/2023
Now playing Next Health news UK doctors warn about brain damage amid rising laughing gas cases Calls for restrictions on the sale of nitrous oxide in local shops in the UK is growing after doctors see an influx of cases. 08/03/2023
Now playing Next Belgium Record cocaine seizures in Belgian port of Antwerp last year The Belgian port of Antwerp takes over from Rotterdam as Europe's leading port for cocaine seizures 10/01/2023
Now playing Next Health news Soaring use of laughing gas in Europe is no joke, drugs agency warns Nitrous oxide has been growing in popularity as a recreational drug, as it can cause a feeling of euphoria, relaxation and dissociation from reality. 22/11/2022
Now playing Next World News Six EU countries agree to boost cooperation against drug crimes The EU countries will also work more closely with Latin American nations in the fight against organised crime. 07/10/2022
Now playing Next Europe News Drugs bounce back in Europe after COVID lockdown lull "Established drugs have never been so accessible and potent new substances continue to emerge," said EU drugs agency chief Alexis Goosdeel. 14/06/2022
Now playing Next Malta Malta becomes first EU country to legalise cannabis for personal use Citizens aged over 18 will be allowed to carry up to seven grams of cannabis and grow up to four cannabis plants at home. 14/12/2021
Now playing Next World News Misuse of pharmaceuticals, designer drugs pose European health threat A new EU Drug Report outlines public health concerns over misuse of benzodiazepines such as valium, xanax and klonopin. 09/06/2021
Now playing Next Europe News COVID and drugs: Lockdown dealing, party pills decline and over-50s OD Between 2012 and 2018 the number of drug overdose deaths among the 50-plus age group increased by 75%. 22/09/2020
Now playing Next World News EU agencies blame technology for rise in drug trafficking Europeans spend billions of euros on drugs each year, making it a "major source of income for organised crime", Europol and the EU's drugs agency said in a joint report. 26/11/2019
Now playing Next Luxembourg Luxembourg could become first EU country to fully legalise cannabis In an interview with Politico, Health Minister Etienne Schneider confirmed his government's plans to legalise production and consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes, while calling other European countries to do the same. 08/08/2019
Now playing Next Portugal Synthetic opioid drugs like fentanyl are a 'growing concern' in Europe New report from a European drug agency reveals one in five people seeking treatment for opioid abuse are addicted to synthetic drugs 06/06/2019
Now playing Next Europe News Report indicates increase of cocaine in EU, links to social media Over 104,000 cocaine seizures were reported in the EU in 2017, amounting to 140.4 tons. This is double the quantity seized in 2016. "Social media, encryption techniques and darknet marketplaces" are correlated with the increase. 06/06/2019
Now playing Next Europe News European agency warns about 'uberisation' of drug market New report suggests drug entrepreneurs are creating cocaine 'call centres' which make it easier for drug users to order online 06/06/2019
Now playing Next World News Killer drug fentanyl 'linked to 250 deaths in Europe' One of the opioid painkillers causing a killer drug epidemic in the US has been linked to hundreds of deaths in Europe, it’s emerged. 07/06/2018
Now playing Next Europe News Fear of opioid crisis in Europe Last year alone, 51 new psychoactive substances have been detected 07/06/2018