According to the 2026 European Drug Report, drug-related deaths remain a major concern: some 7,600 people died from overdoses across Europe in a single year, the latest figures reveal. The new report, presented on Tuesday by the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), highlights how Europe's drug market is becoming ever more complex and rapidly evolving, making it harder to tackle emerging health threats.
Lorraine Nolan of the EUDA notes that this shifting landscape is bringing new and different health risks to the fore. "Highly potent cannabis products are appearing, alongside an increasing variety of opioids being sold", she notes, adding that more people are also combining different drugs, which further heightens the health risks.
One of the agency's main worries is the sheer number of synthetic drugs being detected. In 2025 alone, 50 new substances were notified to EU authorities. The report also reveals that cocaine is now more widely available than ever before, with an estimated 2.5 million young adults reportedly using the drug last year. Meanwhile, misuse of ketamine is on the rise as well.
The EUDA report shows health risks linked to ketamine are continuing to rise. Despite the number of people seeking treatment remaining low, it has quadrupled in recent years, while awareness of the risks is still limited.
Beyond the direct risks to public health, the report also highlights the role of drug trafficking in driving crime and violence. Organised criminal groups are increasingly recruiting young people into the drug trade and are becoming ever more active, innovative, and aggressive. In response to these challenges, the agency calls for improved monitoring systems, greater investment in treatment options, and a stronger focus on mental health and vulnerable communities.
