The rapid rise of synthetic drugs has become one of the world’s most pressing drug-related challenges. After cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are the most widely used drugs globally, now surpassing cocaine and heroin. Alongside...
The evaluation of Phase III of the Paris Pact Initiative (2010–2012), supported by UNODC’s Project GLO K31, examined how effectively this global partnership has addressed the trafficking and consumption of opiates, particularly those...
The International Narcotics Control Board’s 2015 report on precursors highlights global efforts to stop chemicals being diverted into the illicit manufacture of drugs. It points to successes achieved through international cooperation...
The Council of the European Union is the forum where national ministers from all EU countries come together to make decisions that shape Europe. It is responsible for negotiating and adopting EU laws, approving the budget, concluding...
The EU-CELAC Action Plan 2013–2015 sets out a framework for strengthened cooperation between the European Union and Latin American and Caribbean countries. Building on priorities agreed at the EU-LAC and EU-CELAC Summits, it focuses on key...
The European Union and Central Asian countries have joined forces through the EU–Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs 2014–2020, building on earlier cooperation dating back to 2002. This plan recognises the shared challenges posed by drug...
In 2012, the Council of the European Union adopted the EU Drugs Strategy for 2013–2020, setting a long-term framework to reduce both drug demand and supply. To put this into practice, the Irish Presidency developed the first EU Drugs Action...
The Publications Office of the European Union provides open access to a broad collection of official EU works. Covering everything from policy updates and statistical analyses to educational tools and research findings, the platform gathers...
The Publications Office of the European Union offers free access to a wide range of official EU publications. From research reports and educational resources to policy overviews and statistical studies, the site brings together knowledge...
The EU Drugs Strategy (2013–2020) set out a shared political framework to guide the European Union’s approach to drugs policy. Grounded in the principles of EU law and international conventions, it focused on protecting public health...
his EMCDDA paper explores how better data can help us understand and respond to Europe’s illicit drug markets. Traditional indicators like seizures, prices, purity, and offences provide only part of the picture, so the agency is expanding...
This EMCDDA paper introduces the European Union’s approach to drug supply reduction, explaining how policies, structures, and actions are designed to disrupt drug markets and limit the availability of illicit substances. It highlights the...
This report takes an important step towards understanding how European countries fund efforts to tackle illicit drugs. By examining public spending on supply reduction measures, it highlights how resources are allocated, the gaps in...
In 1999, the EU highlighted the growing threat of drug abuse and trafficking, noting a sharp rise in cocaine, amphetamines, and synthetic drugs like ecstasy. Reports at the time showed that no Member State was spared from these challenges.
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In 2010, the EU introduced a new policy cycle to strengthen the fight against organised and serious international crime. This cycle provides a structured way for Member States to work together, set shared priorities, and respond to cross...
The European Union and Western Balkan countries share a strong interest in tackling drug trafficking and abuse—challenges made more pressing by the region’s location on a key route from Afghanistan to Europe.
Since 2003, a dedicated EU...
On 2–3 April 2014, African and European leaders met in Brussels for the Fourth EU–Africa Summit under the theme “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace.” The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two continents, built on...
Psychoactive substances are regulated under three key United Nations conventions, agreed by Member States to safeguard public health and prevent illegal drug production:
1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs – focused on substances...
The 2024 Feedback Survey gathered valuable insights from users of the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs. Running from January to December 2024, it assessed user experiences, explored how Toolkit resources are applied, and identified areas for...
Similar to controlled narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, precursors and chemicals often appear under a wide range of names in commerce and technical literature. This makes the work of national and international drug control...
