NEW illicit substances that risk “life‑threatening poisoning” are being discovered every week in Europe, its drugs watchdog has revealed.
Meanwhile, vapes are increasingly being used as “vehicles” to smuggle dangerous drugs.
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The 2026 European Drug Report reveals that drugs have become increasingly available, diverse, and potent across Europe Credit: Getty
Executive director of EUDA Dr Lorraine Nolan warned people may be taking dangerous drugs without knowing Credit: Getty
Pens containing synthetic cannabis – also known as Spice – have been seized, with experts from the European Drugs Agency (EUDA) fearing vapes “may become a vehicle for other harmful substances” such as superstrength opioids.
The agency drew on data from 27 EU countries, as well as Norway and Turkey, to compile its report.
It warned that Europe’s illicit drug market is undergoing a major and rapid shift.
An “increasingly diverse” range of potent substances are becoming “widely available”, it said, with synthetic opioids, new kinds of cannabis, heroin and ketamine pouring into the continent.
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Opioids specifically were responsible for at least 7,600 overdose deaths in the EU in 2024.
The EUDA’s executive director Dr Lorraine Nolan said: “Drug markets are evolving at speed, with the variety of substances on Europe’s streets becoming ever more unpredictable.”
“This raises the risk: people may be taking high-potency drugs, often without knowing it.”
New drugs that haven’t been seen before are being detected every week, according to the EUDA.
In 2025 alone, 50 new substances were reported for the first time in Europe.
“Among these are potent new synthetic opioids, which pose an increased risk of life‑threatening poisoning,” the agency said.
Nitazenes are one example of this, nicknamed ‘Frankenstein’ drugs as they’re often cut into street drugs like heroin, or mixed into fake painkillers and anxiety meds.
They’re believed to be 500 times stronger than heroin and so potent that a single grain could trigger a fatal overdose.
In 2024, the UK reported 333 deaths linked to the superstrength drugs.
But scientists fear the number may be far higher, as post-mortem tests often don’t pick up traces of nitazenes.
Ninety-five new synthetic opioids have been detected in Europe since 2009.
“In 2025 alone, seven new synthetic opioids were reported, including nitazenes and orphines,” the EUDA said.
Nitazenes are a form of synthetic opioid that been linked to a rising number of deaths in the EU and UK Credit: Getty
The drug is thought to be 500 times stronger than heroin Credit: AFP
“Fake medicines containing nitazenes, mimicking legitimate prescription medicines such as oxycodone or diazepam, are also increasingly reported.”
More than 50,000 tablets laced with nitazenes were seized in 2024 by 10 countries, more than double the amount intercepted the year before.
Officials are concerned these dangerous tablets may be taken by young people, putting their lives at risk.
Orphines are another highly potent type of synthetic opioid, which are increasingly being spotted in Europe.
Since 2024, nine new orphines have been identified and 18 deaths linked to the substance reported between June 2024 and January 2026, the EUDA said.
Officials raised concerns about illicit drugs such as dangerous synthetic cannabis and opioids, being smuggled into the continent through vapes.
Vaping is a “common feature of substance use among adolescents in Europe”, the agency noted – meaning youngsters could end up using drug-laced devices unwittingly.
Meanwhile, cheap weed from Canada and the US is increasingly being trafficked to Europe, the EUDA added.
“Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit drug in Europe, with 24.9 million European adults (15–64 years) estimated to have used the drug in the last year,” it said.
“The wider availability of more potent and varied cannabis products is increasing the health risks, making responses more complex.
“Cannabis accounts for a third of people entering drug treatment in Europe, representing an estimated 104,000 clients in 2024.”
Potent cannabis extracts and edibles are increasingly being linked to A&E visits in Europe.
Cannabis products also are becoming more dangerous because they are being mixed with strong chemicals.
With these dangerous substances being “sold in vapes and edibles”, this raises “concerns about uptake among new, and possibly younger, consumers”, the EUDA said.
What are nitazenes?
Nitazenes were first developed in the 1950s as an alternative painkiller.
However, the drugs were so strong and addictive that they were never approved for medical use.
They are available in powder, tablet, and liquid form, which means they can be injected, swallowed, or snorted.
The drug can trigger feelings of pain relief, euphoria, relaxation and sleepiness.
But they can also lead to sweating, itching and nausea.
Nitazenes first made UK news in 2021 when an 18-year-old took a non-fatal overdose.
Since then, the drug has surged in popularity, becoming the newest killer on the streets.
The National Crime Agency believes nitazenes are being produced in illicit labs in China and often enter the UK in the “post”.
In most cases, it is then mixed with heroin by organised gangs, strengthening the drugs being sold on the street.
Source: Talk to Frank
