The evolving drug crisis poses significant challenges for both Europe and North America, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes at the forefront. In the United States, the crisis has escalated over two decades, claiming over a million lives since 2000, driven by synthetic opioids following the crackdown on prescription drugs and street heroin. The shift to fentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid—is largely due to its profitability and ease of trafficking, leading to unpredictable and deadly street drug mixtures.

In contrast, Europe has historically maintained a stable heroin supply from Afghanistan, which kept overdose deaths relatively steady. However, the Taliban’s 2022 poppy ban threatens to disrupt this balance, potentially opening the door to more dangerous synthetic alternatives. European countries have employed harm reduction strategies such as drug checking, safe consumption sites, and heroin-assisted therapy, which have been instrumental in managing drug-related harms.

Despite these measures, the emergence of nitazenes and xylazine—synthetic opioids as potent as fentanyl—poses a growing threat. Instances of fentanyl-related overdoses are rising in regions like Poland and the UK. European policymakers are urged to remain vigilant, drawing lessons from North America’s experience to preempt a similar crisis. The focus is increasingly on decriminalization and harm reduction to safeguard public health and prevent a surge in fatal overdoses.

Europe can still prevent a drug crisis like the one in North America by acting now. With a focus on harm reduction and learning from others’ experiences, countries can help keep people safe and lessen the harm of synthetic drugs.

Source: Salon