Illicit drug markets operate through a complex, global chain—from production and trafficking to consumption and the profits that fuel organised crime. At every stage, these activities compromise the health and security of countries worldwide. The European Union (EU) recognises these risks and has developed a range of policies and responses to address the challenges posed by the production and trafficking of illegal drugs, working closely with international partners.

The EU’s approach spans multiple strategic areas, including security, organised crime, maritime and regional cooperation, and...

Since 2003, the Paris Pact Initiative (PPI) has grown into a key international coalition, now comprising 58 partner countries and 22 organisations, including UNODC. It provides a vital platform for consensus-building, linking high-level political commitment with practical technical assistance on the ground. By strengthening cooperation among counter-narcotics actors worldwide, the Paris Pact supports coordinated policy-making and evidence-based interventions to tackle the illicit traffic of opiates originating in Afghanistan.

The Initiative focuses on major opiate trafficking routes, with...

The global market for synthetic drugs has grown rapidly in recent years, with amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and new psychoactive substances (NPS) becoming a significant concern worldwide. ATS, which include amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy-type substances, are now the second most widely used drugs after cannabis. Meanwhile, NPS such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones and phenethylamines continue to emerge in large numbers, often outpacing substances under international control, and pose serious health risks across a wide geographical spread.

In response to this growing...

Understanding drug markets in Europe requires monitoring both supply and demand. Traditionally, this has relied on data such as drug seizures, prices, purity and offences. However, because drug markets operate illicitly, gathering and interpreting reliable data remains a challenge. At the same time, modern drug policy increasingly focuses on reducing harm, which means monitoring must go beyond law enforcement indicators to also consider the wider impact on society.

To address this, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has developed a new framework to improve...

The Paris Pact Initiative (PPI), launched in 2003, is one of the leading international coalitions tackling the illicit trafficking of opiates from Afghanistan. Bringing together 58 countries and 23 organisations, including UNODC, it serves as a vital bridge between high-level political commitment and practical action on the ground. The partnership provides a platform for shaping policy, sharing expertise and aligning counter-narcotics efforts worldwide.

The PPI focuses on major trafficking routes, adapting its responses as trends evolve. Initially centred on the northern and Balkan routes, it...

In 2015, the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) expanded its reach with new Port Control Units (PCUs) across Asia and Europe, including in Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam, as well as the first Air Cargo Control Unit in Pakistan. Alongside these milestones, the Programme advanced its use of technology through systems like ContainerCOMM and the Container Targeting System, while also launching the CCP Women’s Network to promote gender inclusion in its work.

Training remained central to the CCP’s mission, from core sessions on enforcement...

The rapid rise of synthetic drugs has become one of the world’s most pressing drug-related challenges. After cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are the most widely used drugs globally, now surpassing cocaine and heroin. Alongside this, the market for new psychoactive substances (NPS) has expanded at an alarming pace, with reports of their presence in over 90 countries. These fast-changing trends make it difficult for governments to respond effectively, particularly as synthetic drugs continue to diversify and adapt.

To address this, the UNODC launched the Global SMART Programme in...

The evaluation of Phase III of the Paris Pact Initiative (2010–2012), supported by UNODC’s Project GLO K31, examined how effectively this global partnership has addressed the trafficking and consumption of opiates, particularly those originating in Afghanistan. Bringing together 58 countries and 21 organisations, the Initiative has played a key role in strengthening international cooperation, improving data and analysis, and fostering better-informed policy decisions. Respondents acknowledged the importance of its consultative mechanisms — including the Policy Consultative Group and Expert...

The International Narcotics Control Board’s 2015 report on precursors highlights global efforts to stop chemicals being diverted into the illicit manufacture of drugs. It points to successes achieved through international cooperation, including platforms like the Precursor Task Force, Project Prism, Project Cohesion, and the PEN Online system, which has become a key tool for monitoring chemical trade worldwide.

Despite progress, the report warns that drug production is shifting towards new, non-scheduled chemicals that fall outside existing controls. To tackle this, the Board calls for more...

The Council of the European Union is the forum where national ministers from all EU countries come together to make decisions that shape Europe. It is responsible for negotiating and adopting EU laws, approving the budget, concluding international agreements, and helping to develop the EU’s foreign and security policy. The Council also plays a coordinating role in areas where member states need to align their national policies. This website is the central place where people can access all information about the Council, from news and conclusions to details of upcoming meetings.

Its work takes...

The EU-CELAC Action Plan 2013–2015 sets out a framework for strengthened cooperation between the European Union and Latin American and Caribbean countries. Building on priorities agreed at the EU-LAC and EU-CELAC Summits, it focuses on key areas such as science, research and innovation, sustainable development, regional integration, education and employment, gender equality, investment, and addressing the global drug problem. The plan emphasises ownership and capacity building, aiming to deliver tangible results that benefit both regions.

A major objective is the creation of a “EU-LAC...

The European Union and Central Asian countries have joined forces through the EU–Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs 2014–2020, building on earlier cooperation dating back to 2002. This plan recognises the shared challenges posed by drug trafficking, drug abuse and the security risks linked to developments in neighbouring Afghanistan. With law enforcement and judicial systems in need of modernisation, the Action Plan focuses on reducing both the demand for and supply of illicit drugs, while also strengthening national capacities to respond effectively.

At its core, the Action Plan represents...

In 2012, the Council of the European Union adopted the EU Drugs Strategy for 2013–2020, setting a long-term framework to reduce both drug demand and supply. To put this into practice, the Irish Presidency developed the first EU Drugs Action Plan (2013–2016), which laid out concrete steps to turn strategic goals into measurable results. The plan was carefully negotiated and finalised in 2013, ensuring that it aligned with EU values, international conventions, and respect for human rights.

The Action Plan focuses on two main policy areas – reducing drug demand and reducing drug supply –...

The Publications Office of the European Union provides open access to a broad collection of official EU works. Covering everything from policy updates and statistical analyses to educational tools and research findings, the platform gathers knowledge created across EU institutions and makes it freely available in every official EU language. Most titles are downloadable at no charge, with the option to request printed copies for a small shipping cost.

Users can search by subject, dive into themed collections, or discover the most recent releases. Current highlights feature reports on women’s...

The Publications Office of the European Union offers free access to a wide range of official EU publications. From research reports and educational resources to policy overviews and statistical studies, the site brings together knowledge produced by EU institutions and makes it available in all official languages of the Union. Most publications can be downloaded electronically at no cost, while some can also be ordered in print for a small delivery fee.

Visitors can easily search by topic, explore curated collections, or browse the latest highlights. Recent publications include works on women...

The EU Drugs Strategy (2013–2020) set out a shared political framework to guide the European Union’s approach to drugs policy. Grounded in the principles of EU law and international conventions, it focused on protecting public health, improving social well-being, and ensuring security across Member States. By promoting a balanced and evidence-based response, the Strategy sought to reduce both the demand for and supply of drugs, while safeguarding human rights and the rule of law.

This Strategy was designed to add value to national efforts by encouraging cooperation across Europe and beyond...

his EMCDDA paper explores how better data can help us understand and respond to Europe’s illicit drug markets. Traditional indicators like seizures, prices, purity, and offences provide only part of the picture, so the agency is expanding its framework to include broader evidence on harms, market dynamics, and new data sources such as online activity.

Using drug prices as an example, the paper shows how changes in supply and demand, global events, and enforcement measures can all influence markets. By improving data quality and coverage across wholesale, retail, and import levels, EMCDDA aims...

This EMCDDA paper introduces the European Union’s approach to drug supply reduction, explaining how policies, structures, and actions are designed to disrupt drug markets and limit the availability of illicit substances. It highlights the links between supply reduction and wider issues such as organised crime, border security, and international cooperation, while also addressing challenges like changing trafficking routes and the use of new technologies.

The EU’s response, coordinated through its strategy and action plans, combines law enforcement, maritime security, and cross-border...

This report takes an important step towards understanding how European countries fund efforts to tackle illicit drugs. By examining public spending on supply reduction measures, it highlights how resources are allocated, the gaps in existing data, and the need for common definitions and methods to improve comparability across time, policies and countries.

The study not only reviews national approaches but also outlines good practices, data sources, and recommendations to guide future evaluations. In doing so, it helps create a clearer picture of how policy intentions are reflected in budgets...