Update from the EU Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances

Abstract

Aim

The European Union Early Warning System on New Psychoactive Substances (EU EWS), operated by the EU Drug Agency (EUDA) is operational since 1997. It was the first regional early warning system to be established to monitor new psychoactive substances (NPS) and has been recognised as a model for national, regional and international early warning systems.

Method

The EU EWS rapidly detects, assesses and responds to health and social threats caused by NPS. Data collected and analysed include event based data on seizures by law enforcement, collected samples and serious adverse events linked to NPS. These data are complemented by annual reports, which include aggregated data on seizures and from poisonings.

Results

By September 2024, the EUDA was monitoring more than 980 NPS, 26 of which were first reported in 2023. The availability of NPS in Europe has reached a historic high, with more than 41 tons seized in 2023. This increase has been driven by a large increase in seizures of synthetic cathinones, in particular 3-CMC and 2-MMC, mostly trafficked from India. New threats continue to appear, including emergence of semi-synthetic cannabinoids (SSCs) and nitazenes. Since May 2022, 18 SSCs have been identified in Europe, underscoring the market's rapid evolution. They are sold openly in a broad range of consumer product forms, including vapes and edibles. While the available information on harms is limited, an outbreak of poisonings caused by edibles containing SSCs was reported by Hungary. Since 2022, there has been an increase in reports of nitazenes detections and poisonings in parts of Europe, and particularly in Estonia and Latvia. In addition, localised outbreaks of poisonings caused by nitazenes were reported by France and Ireland. The data also suggests an increase in the detection of fake medicines containing nitazene opioids.

Conclusion

Currently, the NPS market is characterised by complexity and increased integration with the market for established controlled drugs. The market is resilient and highly dynamic making it difficult to disrupt. Forensic and toxicological information sources are critically important for but there remains a need for investment in forensic, analytical and toxicological capacity. As of July 2024, the EUDA has a new mandate to implement and coordinate a network of laboratories with the aim of improving the detection capacity and knowledge of NPS, as well as the implementation of a European Drug Alert System (EDAS) for the detection and reporting of drug-related risks. The NPS market is still very dynamic in the EU and these new mechanisms (EUDA Laboratory network and EDAS) are aimed to further strengthen national and EU preparedness and response to NPS.