Experts concerned about increase of synthetic drugs

At the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use, in addition to general drug use, the dangers of cannabis adulterated with synthetic cannabinoids were discussed. Particular attention was paid to the risks that these drugs could boost potency and potentially lead to grave health impacts.

Adulterated samples of the drug have been discovered in over eleven different EU Member States since 2020. In some cases their use has resulted in serious health consequences or even death.

According to several media reports, cannabis has long been one of the most popular drugs in Europe and Ireland. According to the latest statistics, 15.5 per cent of 15-35 year olds (15 million people) reported having used cannabis in the recent year.

Dr Eoghan Quigley of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) warned of the serious consequences in his speech and expressed his concerns. According to him, the current forms of cannabis are the reason why about 80,000 people in Europe are in drug treatment.

Due to the many production routes and variations of synthetic drugs, as well as the new trade routes, Dr. Quigley sees a higher availability than in the past years.

Dr. Eoghan Quigley of the @EMCDDA discusses its latest annual review of the drug situation in Europe.

Opioids are present in around 3/4 of all drug induced deaths in Europe.

The research indicates that drug supply has bounced back post-pandemic. pic.twitter.com/PlxUv49Lm4

— The Citizens' Assembly (@CitizAssembly) April 16, 2023

The drug markets in the darknet have experienced a sharp decline in recent years. According to the latest statistics, in 2021, for example, only €30,000 per day were made, compared to around €1 million per day the year before.

Nevertheless, there are indications that the digitalisation of the drug market has increased overall, as drug trafficking now often takes place via messaging apps and social media.

Although drug supply has not increased during the pandemic period, drug use has actually increased. For example, water analyses in 2020 and 2021 have found increasing residues of drugs such as cocaine, crack and methamphetamines.

Dr. Quigley furthermore raised concerns about a potential increase of hard drugs such as methamphetamine or crystal meth. Especially in the production of crystal meth, there are more and more countries in Europe that are important producers of the dangerous drug.

Out today: Wastewater analysis and drugs — a European multi-city study! EMCDDA-@ScoreNetwork study reveals drug-taking habits in over 100 cities & shows a rise in cocaine and methamphetamine detections #drugs #wastewater #worldwaterday

Explore the data https://t.co/bXwd2hG1Jh pic.twitter.com/jLy8KhR6uC

— EU drugs agency (@EMCDDA) March 22, 2023

The use of cocaine is also said to have increased alarmingly in recent years, according to the HSE'S national clinical lead for addiction services, Prof Eamon Keenan.

He stated that the number of people presenting for cocaine treatment has tripled in the last six years, with about a third of those involved in employment.

“From an Irish point of view, our rates of cocaine use are increasing across all age groups — 2.3 in 2019, up from 1.1 per cent,” Prof Keenan said.

Later this year, the Assembly will make recommendations on Irish drug policy to the Oireachtas.