LISBON, Portugal – April 2016. The 2016 EU Drug Markets Report has been published jointly by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and Europol. Findings include a general estimate of the European illicit drug market value (at least EUR 24 billion), a detailed analysis of the market trends for the main drug types, a review of impact of globalization and technology on the supply chain, and an assessment of societal costs of drug trade.

The rapid growth of the NPS market continued with 100 new substances that were reported for the first time in 2015 and the EU Early Warning System monitoring over 560. A large number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) are allegedly sold openly as ‘legal’ replacements for illicit drugs. According to the report, the market supplies both recreational and, increasingly, marginalised users and producers anticipate legal and regulatory controls by developing new substances. Further there are indications that globalised supply chains allow bulk quantities of NPS to be ordered online and transported to Europe where they are packaged and sold on the drug market. With increased availability, harms have increased, such as acute, sometimes fatal, poisonings and harms associated with injecting cathinones.

For further information please see:
www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/2373/TD0216072ENN.PDF