Nearly 40 per cent of European adults identify mental health problems as their leading drug-related public health concern, according to a major survey of almost 100,000 people across 35 countries.
Nearly 60 per cent saw drug trafficking and drug use as serious problems in their local area, with almost half believing that trafficking had increased locally over the last five years. The survey, which was carried out by EUDA, surveyed people across the 27 EU member states – as well as Norway, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia – on their perceptions of drug availability and risk, drug-related harm and drug policy.
Nearly half of respondents – particularly 15-24-year-olds – said cannabis would be easy to obtain within 24 hours, compared to around a third for MDMA and cocaine. Thirty per cent of respondents identified the involvement of young people in drug trafficking as a major public safety concern, while 27 per cent identified drug-related violence. Forty-five per cent, meanwhile, favoured ‘support and assistance’ for people who use drugs and come into contact with the criminal justice system. ‘The leading opinion favours supporting and helping people who use drugs, rather than punishing them,’ EUDA says.
Almost 40 per cent of respondents supported tougher measures against traffickers, however, with just 13 per cent supporting the legalisation and regulation of drugs. ‘Age makes a difference,’ EUDA states. ‘Younger respondents give similar weight to prevention, social measures and enforcement, while support for enforcement increases with age. Support for stronger police action rises from 33 per cent among 15-24-year-olds to 54 per cent among those aged 55 and over.’
‘Europeans are clear that drug trafficking and drug use are serious concerns in their communities,’ said European commissioner for internal affairs and migration, Magnus Brunner. ‘They want strong action against traffickers and criminal networks, but they also recognise the importance of supporting people affected by drug use. We need both: firm action against organised crime and effective prevention, treatment and support.’
Meanwhile, The Loop is about to launch the first drug checking services in Birmingham. The free fortnightly services will operate in two central locations, and are fully funded by Birmingham City Council. Other partners include Change Grow Live, KIKIT Pathways to Recovery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and West Midlands Police Force.
‘As we mark ten years since introducing drug checking in the UK, we’re pleased to be continuing the expansion of regular accessible services with two new sites in Birmingham,’ said Loop CEO Katy Porter. ‘Drug checking gives people access to accurate information within a harm reduction consultation informed by The Loop’s testing. This supports understanding of potential risks and enables people to take informed decisions related to their drug use. Alongside the individualised support, it contributes to our understanding of local drug markets, helps inform wider harm reduction responses delivered by all our partners, and responds to the continued concern in the level of harm and drug-related deaths across the UK.’
EUDA Drug Survey 2026: European attitudes towards drugs and drug policy available here