The Executive Director of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), Alexis Goosdeel, has issued a crucial call to action addressing the growing threat of new synthetic opioids across Europe. Speaking at the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs, Goosdeel emphasised the dire need for coordinated action among EU Member States to combat this emerging crisis. He highlighted potential risks, including the disruption of Europe’s heroin supply from Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s ban on opium poppy cultivation, which may push users towards potent synthetic opioids. Moreover, the increasing availability of dangerous substances, such as nitazenes, poses significant overdose risks.

The EUDA’s strategy, labelled “Acting today, anticipating tomorrow,” focuses on developing innovative drug alert and threat assessment services at the EU level. This includes collaboration with Member States to establish a network of forensic and toxicological laboratories to monitor and share information on new trends. Goosdeel stressed the importance of a unified approach, stating that EU countries must work together to effectively tackle these threats. This proactive service model centres around four key functions: Anticipate, Alert, Respond, and Learn. For more information, visit EUDA.