synthetic drugs

A new health alert reports carfentanil in counterfeit “M30” tablets and powders seized at the United States Southwest border. Carfentanil is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, and some tablets contained it without any fentanyl. The findings highlight how the appearance of an illicit tablet or powder cannot reliably indicate its contents or strength. Prevention, treatment and recovery professionals should reinforce overdose awareness, naloxone access and timely connections to care. Law enforcement, laboratories and public health partners should follow safe handling protocols, test comprehensively and share emerging drug market information quickly.

The clearest message from our recent ISSUP Global webinar was a simple but important one: we should stop assuming that an unregulated drug product contains only what it is sold as containing. That uncertainty now has direct implications for prevention, clinical care, recovery support, toxicology, law enforcement, policy and the administration of justice.

This report examines how the rapid growth of synthetic drug markets is transforming the global drug landscape and challenging traditional approaches to drug control. Unlike plant-based drugs such as cocaine and heroin, synthetic drugs can...

This threat assessment examines the potential risks posed by highly potent synthetic opioids (HPSOs) in Europe over the next two years. Drawing on early warning data, forensic and clinical evidence, and expert input, the report explores how...

This paper examines how heroin trafficking routes from Afghanistan into Europe have evolved following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. It explores the changing dynamics of the northern and southern trafficking routes, highlighting how...

The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) continues to monitor illicit drug production and precursor chemicals across Europe to improve understanding of how drug markets are evolving. Production within the European Union is primarily focused...

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released its 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA), providing an overview of the threats posed by illicit drugs and the transnational criminal organizations involved in their production and trafficking. The report highlights the continuing impact of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, on public health, public safety, and national security.

The UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs is a practical online resource coordinated by UNODC that brings together tools, guidance, and operational resources from across the UN system to support responses to the global synthetic drug problem...