Commission presents new EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan against drug trafficking

On 4 December, the Commission presented a new EU Drugs Strategy and an Action Plan against drug trafficking, as well as updated rules for monitoring and controlling drug precursors. Announced by President von der Leyen in the political guidelines and a key deliverable under the ProtectEU - European Internal Security Strategy, they set out a comprehensive EU response to the security, health, social and environmental challenges linked to the trafficking and use of illicit drugs.

Drug trafficking constitutes a major threat to the security in Europe. Illicit drugs such as cocaine and synthetic drugs continue to drive violence, corruption and the exploitation of the legal economy. Drug traffickers have developed new methods with constantly shifting trafficking routes, operating across the globe and increasingly online. At the same time, drug abuse poses a serious threat to public health, as new substances further increase the risks of poisoning and overdoses. The production of drugs causes significant environmental damage, including through toxic waste. These evolving dynamics demand a stronger, coordinated response across the EU.

The EU Drugs Strategy focuses on 5 key areas:

• Enhancing preparedness and response to drug related threats, with improved data collection, monitoring, early warning and rapid response measures at EU and national level. The EU Drugs Agency (EUDA) with its new, stronger mandate, will play a key role in supporting Member States by identifying new psychoactive substances, issuing rapid alerts, and assessing the risks posed by highly potent synthetic opioids;
• Protecting public health and strengthening prevention, treatment and reintegration measures, including under the Healthier Together initiative. The EUDA will support Member States with practical guidance and awareness-raising activities;
• Strengthening security: The Commission will propose stricter rules against organised crime and evaluate the existing Framework Decision on drug trafficking by 2026. Key actions include strengthening public-private cooperation to improve the detection of drugs smuggled through postal and parcel delivery services into the EU, as well as a new EU Ports Strategy to enhance the security and resilience of ports and supply chains against drug trafficking;
• Measures to prevent drug-related harm, including a new EU toolbox to address the recruitment of minors by criminal networks and a new EU action plan on protecting children against crime;
• Stronger partnerships with non-EU countries to reinforce and expand international alliances and increase operational cooperation, technical assistance and capacity building. The Commission and Member States will also step up engagement with civil society and the private sector.

The EU Action Plan against drug trafficking complements the EU Drugs Strategy, with operational actions across six priority areas to:

• Adapt to evolving routes and methods used by criminal networks;
• Prevent crime and reduce drug-related violence;
• Step up cooperation of law enforcement, judiciary and customs authorities;
• Address the challenge of synthetic drugs and drug precursors;
• Advance research and development and innovation, including with a new Security and Innovation Campus to be launched in 2026;
• Strengthen international cooperation.

Monitoring and controlling drugs precursors

The Commission also proposed new rules to make the monitoring and controlling of drug precursors and designer precursors clearer, simpler, and more digital. Drug precursors are often diverted and trafficked by criminals, to produce synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, posing a significant threat to public safety.

The proposal includes new measures such as real-time reporting of significant seizures of drug precursors, an urgency procedure for faster controlling of substances, as well as a ban on designer precursors, significantly curbing these precursors' availability for illegal drug manufacturing. The initiative will simplify and digitalise processes for legitimate trade, ensuring industries can thrive without excessive regulatory burdens.

Background

The new Strategy and Action plan build on the previous EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan for 2021-2025, and their evaluation, as well as close cooperation with Member States and consultations with civil society (in particular the Civil Society Forum Drugs), and EU agencies. The measures complement the Preparedness Union Strategy, the European Health Union, and the EU health security framework.

Find out more:

• Press release
• Questions and answers
• Factsheet
• EU Drugs Strategy
• Action Plan against drug trafficking
• Proposal on drug precursors
• Drugs policy

Details