Europeans and drugs

Destinations

Germany legalises cannabis: Could it become a ‘weed tourism’ hotspot?

Germany has relaxed its laws on the possession and cultivation of cannabis - but is ‘weed tourism’ on the cards?

02/04/2024

Health news

Doctors in Belgium see serious nose lesions amid rising cocaine use

Doctors are treating people in Belgium who present with serious nose problems due to cocaine use.

28/03/2024

Ireland

Ireland’s stalled plan to open safe injecting rooms for drug user

The country was reported as having the third-highest overdose death rate in Europe by the European Union’s drug agency in 2020, with 409 deaths that year, 70% of which involved opioids.

14/11/2023

Europe News

'We never had so many drugs smuggled or produced in Europe' - report

The annual study released by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) warned that the use of illegal substances is a concern to the health of people on the continent, as well as its security.

16/06/2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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