The supply and consumption of drugs in the European Union registered a rapid rebound after the changes in the market caused by covid-19 and in some cases, such as the availability of cocaine, they exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
This is the main conclusion of the annual report of the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), released this Tuesday in Lisbon, which warns that “the availability of drugs remains high throughout the EU” and they continue to appearing “potent and dangerous” substances.
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In the case of cocaine, the levels prior to the pandemic have been exceeded, after the restrictions due to covid-19, such as the closure of nightlife and leisure environments, led to a “modest reduction” in consumption.
The Observatory also reports that in 2020, 213 tons of cocaine were seized in the European Uniona record value, which, together with other indicators, suggests that “currently there are no signs that the upward trend in the availability of this drug, observed in recent years, has changed.”
“Cocaine now plays a more significant role in drug-related health problems in Europe,” the document warns.
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Cannabis continues to lead
Cannabis remains the most consumed illegal drug: 22 million European adults declared having used it in the last year.
The report notes that cannabis-derived products are becoming more diverse, including extracts and edibles (high in THC) and CBD products (low in THC).
The number of countries that reported adulterated products with dangerous synthetic cannabinoids in 2021 grew, which poses health risks and is “worrying” for the Observatory.
In cannabis there have also been changes in origin, since travel restrictions had “effects” on trafficking from the Western Balkans and Morocco and European production, from countries such as Spain, has been boosted.
“Reports on the increase in large seizures of weed from Spain indicate that this country may be becoming a more important supplier to the EU market,” the experts note.
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Analysis of wastewater from 75 cities in 25 countries (23 EU countries, Turkey and Norway) revealed “a general increase in detections” of cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines.
Ecstasy (and its active ingredient, MDMA) is the only drug “for which residues have decreased in most of the cities analyzed”, perhaps because nightclubs in many countries were still closed in the spring of 2021 when the study was conducted.
Instead, cannabis remains by far the most widely used substance, with “more than 22 million European adults reporting” having used it in 2021, according to the report.
It is followed by cocaine (3.5 million), MDMA/ecstasy (2.6 million) and amphetamines (2 million).
More production of synthetic drugs
The production of synthetic drugs is also increasing in Europe, intended not only for the domestic market but also for third countries.
In 2020, more than 350 laboratories were dismantled and there is more and more diversification in production processes, as more medium- and large-scale production facilities were detected.
New psychoactive substances (NSP) continue to appear at a rate of one per week, which the Observatory considers a “challenge” for public health.
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In 2021, 52 new drugs were notified for the first time through the EU Early Warning System (SAT), bringing the total number monitored by the agency to 880.
As for NPS seizures, in 2020 they reached a record value of 6.9 tons (EU, Turkey and Norway), of which 3.3 million were synthetic cantinones.
The report also argues that factors such as the pandemic, police activity and “long” periods of inactivity have influenced the activity of the “dark web” drug markets.
This is reflected in the numbers: at the end of 2021, estimated income decreased “drastically” to slightly below 30,000 euros per day, compared to one million euros per day in 2020.
“Drug sales through social networks and instant messaging applications seem to be attracting more interest and may be growing, since these technologies are considered a safer, more convenient and accessible source of supply,” warns the Observatory.
*With information from EFE and AFP
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