The Future of Drug Supply Monitoring in Europe

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 how drug supply is tracked. This involves enhancing the quality of existing data, broadening the range of information collected, and strengthening analysis. By refining indicators such as drug prices, purity levels and related harms, Europe is working towards a more accurate and meaningful understanding of drug markets, better equipping policymakers to respond effectively.