Europeans and drugs

Netherlands

Synthetic drug ring smashed in 'largest-ever' operation, Europol says

Authorities dismantled 24 industrial-scale labs and seized around 1,000 tonnes of chemicals used to make street drugs such as MDMA, amphetamine and meth.

21/01/2026

France

Second brother of French anti-drugs campaigner shot dead in Marseille

Amine Kessaci had been under police protection since last month after writing a book about the victims of drug trafficking in Marseille.

14/11/2025

Health news

The slimming shot: What price are you willing to pay for a dream body?

How weight loss demand is draining Europe’s diabetes drug supply, as countries adopt varying speeds of approach to medicinal approval for dual purposes.

04/06/2025

Europe in Motion

From cannabis to cocaine: What is the drug use and supply in the EU?

As illegal drug use and supply increases in the EU, member states ramp up efforts to tackle drug trafficking and organised crime.

05/03/2025

Health news

Swede dies in South Korea after being rejected care by 21 hospitals

The sexagenarian was denied medical intervention due to the high costs of the required surgery and concerns over how his treatment would be paid for.

18/01/2025

No Comment

How the Grinch arrested a suspected drug trafficker in Peru

Peru's Green Squadron arrested drug traffickers during a Christmas operation. An officer disguised as the Grinch broke into a suspected trafficker's home, finding drugs and money. The Grinch's disguise helped the police surprise and capture three suspects.

24/12/2024

Destinations

Germany legalises cannabis: Could it become a ‘weed tourism’ hotspot?

Germany has relaxed its laws on the possession and cultivation of cannabis - but is ‘weed tourism’ on the cards?

02/04/2024

Health news

Doctors in Belgium see serious nose lesions amid rising cocaine use

Doctors are treating people in Belgium who present with serious nose problems due to cocaine use.

28/03/2024

Ireland

Ireland’s stalled plan to open safe injecting rooms for drug user

The country was reported as having the third-highest overdose death rate in Europe by the European Union’s drug agency in 2020, with 409 deaths that year, 70% of which involved opioids.

14/11/2023

Europe News

'We never had so many drugs smuggled or produced in Europe' - report

The annual study released by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) warned that the use of illegal substances is a concern to the health of people on the continent, as well as its security.

16/06/2023

Health news

Xylazine: Flesh-rotting ‘zombie’ drug claims first victim in Europe

The first death in the UK linked to the “zombie” drug xylazine raises concerns over the shifting origin of opioid supplies in Europe.

26/05/2023

Health news

Move over, CBD: HHC is the new ‘legal cannabis’ causing concern

After the boom of CBD, authorities worry about HHC, which can be ingested, smoked or vaped, with effects similar to those of cannabis.

25/05/2023

World News

Fentanyl has devastated America. Why is Europe being spared?

While fentanyl continues ravaging the US, the European illegal drug market has remained somehow shielded from the deadly synthetic opioid. Is that about to change?

18/05/2023

Italy

Italian police dogs find 2,700kg of cocaine hidden in banana crates

The seized cocaine was of the finest quality, according to Italian police, and would have earned drug traffickers more than €800 million in street sales in Armenia, where it was destined.

16/05/2023

Health news

Cocaine use in Europe: How do EU countries compare?

The production of cocaine is no longer an offshore affair. With the increased availability of the drug in the EU, what does it mean for consumption?

28/03/2023

Health news

UK doctors warn about brain damage amid rising laughing gas cases

Calls for restrictions on the sale of nitrous oxide in local shops in the UK is growing after doctors see an influx of cases.

08/03/2023