European Drug Report 2026 presents findings on drug trends and mortality in Cyprus

The European Drug Report 2026, presented in Nicosia by the Cyprus Anti-Drug Authority, highlights a growing trend in cannabis use alongside the expansion of cocaine and methamphetamine markets. In 2024, Cyprus recorded eight direct deaths due to drug overdoses, a significant decrease from the historical high of 17 deaths observed in 2020. Dr. Christos Minas, president of the Authority, noted concerns regarding the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids, nitazenes, and synthetic opioids. Officials highlighted a shift in drug-related mortality, as deaths shifted from predominantly opioid-related cases between 2004 and 2021 to different substances in 2022 and 2024. The broader European context, presented by Commissioner Magnus Brunner and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), indicates that 8.7% of European adults aged 15-64 have used cannabis in the past year. Authorities warned that increasing drug availability is fueling organized crime networks across Europe. Experts emphasized that users often lack knowledge regarding the purity and specific composition of the substances they consume, posing severe public health risks.