Cocaine, synthetic opioids and emerging threats: reports on drugs in Europe and Luxembourg published
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the Luxembourg National Centre for Drug Monitoring have published their annual reports on the drug situation in Europe and the Grand Duchy. The reports show that the drug market is becoming increasingly diverse, and that new synthetic substances pose additional risks to public health.
At the same time, Luxembourg is showing positive results in tackling the consequences of drug addiction: the death rate from drug overdoses continues to fall and remains well below the European average.
According to a European report, in 2025 alone, experts identified 50 new psychoactive substances for the first time. Of particular concern are the new generation of synthetic opioids—nitazens and orphins. These substances are significantly stronger than traditional drugs and are often distributed under the guise of ordinary medicines, which increases the risk of severe poisoning and fatal overdoses. Experts also note the growing popularity among teenagers of e-cigarettes containing synthetic cannabinoids or nicotine.
One of the most notable trends in recent years remains the rise in cocaine use. In Europe, the number of hospital admissions and treatment requests related to this drug is increasing. At the same time, experts are noting the spread of crack, particularly among socially vulnerable groups in major cities. Despite the emergence of new synthetic substances, opioids remain the leading cause of drug-related deaths in European countries.
What's happening in Luxembourg
According to the national report, in 2024 there were approximately 2,684 people in the country classified as being at high risk of drug use. This is more than five years ago. However, the pattern of use is gradually changing. The use of opioids and injectable drugs continues to decline, whilst cocaine use is on the rise. Cannabis and cocaine are now the main reasons for seeking treatment. At the same time, the number of treatment requests related to cocaine has almost doubled compared to 2013.
One of the most encouraging trends remains the decline in the number of fatal overdoses. Whilst 26 drug-related deaths were recorded in Luxembourg in 2000, this figure stood at 12 in 2024. The authorities attribute this result in part to the work of safe drug consumption rooms and the development of harm reduction programmes. Since September 2024, the country has also been running a programme to distribute naloxone to people released from prison. The drug can be used to prevent death in the event of an opioid overdose.
Cannabis reform is changing the statistics
The number of cannabis-related offences continues to fall. However, the authors of the report believe that this is primarily due to legislative changes that came into force following the 2023 reform. It should be noted that Luxembourg has permitted adult citizens, subject to certain conditions, to grow cannabis at home and consume it in private. At the same time, the market continues to evolve: the volume of seizures is increasing, whilst the THC content in products is rising.
The report devotes particular attention to cocaine. In 2024, the volume of cocaine seizures increased, and the average purity of cocaine reached record levels in 2025. The authors of the study note that some of the seized consignments may not have been intended for the domestic market, but for onward transport through the country’s territory. This once again raises the question of Luxembourg’s role as a key logistics hub in Europe’s international trade and transport networks.
