Emerging Threats from Cathinones and Nitazenes

The European drug market is undergoing rapid transformations, leading to new health and safety risks, according to the European Union Drug Agency (Euda) based in Lisbon. Their 2025 drug report highlights data from 29 countries, indicating a rise in the consumption and trade of potent substances, including synthetic drugs like cathinones and nitazenes, alongside increasingly potent cannabis products.

Euda's Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel, emphasized that Europe faces new challenges amidst global instability that is putting pressure on response capabilities. The prevalence of synthetic cathinones, which share chemical similarities with stimulant drugs such as amphetamines and ecstasy, has surged dramatically. In 2023, authorities seized 37 tons of these substances across Europe, a stark increase from just 4.5 tons in 2021. Poland alone reported the discovery of 53 production sites, signaling a growing trend in the intentional consumption of these drugs, which is also reflected in rising requests for treatment.

Moreover, the report highlights a concerning rise in synthetic opioids. Since 2009, 88 new variants of these highly potent substances have been identified in Europe, including several nitazenes, which have been linked to fatal overdoses, particularly in the Baltic states.

The cannabis market is becoming increasingly complex, with hashish now containing twice the amount of the psychoactive compound THC compared to ten years ago. Additionally, semi-synthetic cannabinoids like HHC are emerging, often consumed unknowingly in products such as gummy candies, as illustrated by a case involving 'gummy bears' in Hungary in 2024.

Cocaine remains the most widely used stimulant, with approximately 4.6 million people in Europe having used it in the past year. Authorities reported seizing 419 tons of the drug in 2023, marking a new record. This uptick in consumption is contributing to increased emergency room visits, raising alarms about potential strains on healthcare systems.

The evolution of the drug landscape poses significant challenges for public health and safety. The growing prevalence of synthetic drugs and their associated risks necessitates urgent attention from health authorities and policymakers to mitigate the impact on communities across Europe.