EMCDDA news

The findings of the largest European project to date in the emerging science of wastewater analysis (WWA) are released today in an article published in Addiction. The project in question — steered by the Europe-wide SCORE network — analysed wastewater in over 40 European cities to explore the drug-taking habits of those who live in them. Its conclusions are taken up in the European Drug Report 2014, launched by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) today, as well as in an online interactive analysis by the agency dedicated to the issue (Perspectives on drugs)

The EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) releases today alongside its European Drug Report 2014: Trends and developments, six new additions to its Perspectives on drugs (PODs) series. This latest selection of online, interactive analyses provides a state-of-the-art review of key aspects of the European drug situation. The PODs explore: emerging concerns relating to stimulant use; new developments in Europe’s cannabis market; as well as advances in Internet-based treatment and wastewater analysis.

How many new drugs were detected in Europe over the last year? Is cannabis getting stronger? How many Europeans have ever used an illicit drug? What are the latest drug policy developments in the region? These are just some of the questions explored in the European Drug Report: Trends and developments. This report provides a top-level overview of the long-term drug-related trends and developments at European level, while homing in on emerging problems in specific countries. Such a perspective is valuable, as it allows differing national experiences to be understood within the broader European context.