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European Drug Alert System (EDAS)

Introducing the European Drug Alert System (EDAS)

The European Drug Alert System (EDAS) is a new EUDA service designed to strengthen preparedness and response to serious health, social, safety and security drug-related risks across Europe. It supports the detection, assessment and exchange of information on any drug-related development that may constitute a serious direct or indirect risk of European relevance. EDAS complements the EU Early Warning System (EWS) on new psychoactive substances (NPS) and national alert systems and helps build stronger cross-border cooperation.

Responding to emerging risks

Global drug markets are driving a significant rise in cross-border threats. Against this backdrop, it is essential that information on emerging risks reaches the right people, in the right place, at the right time. Established under EU law (Article 13 of the EUDA regulation), EDAS provides targeted, vital, time-sensitive and actionable information that can save lives. The mechanism will enhance the agency’s ability to protect public health and safety across Europe.

Objectives

The main objectives of EDAS are to:

  • rapidly detect, assess, prioritise and respond to serious drug-related risks (SDRRs) of European relevance;
  • provide rapid targeted alert risk communications, including possible response options and recommendations, to the relevant national competent authorities, complementing communications of national alert systems;
  • support the Member States and EUDA in building capacity and capability to identify and assess SDRRs by strengthening surveillance and facilitating the rapid exchange of information. This includes enhancing the harmonisation of data collection and management;
  • complement and support the operation of the EU Early Warning System on, and risk assessment of, new psychoactive substances;
  • complement and support strategic health and security threat assessment and preparedness;
  • identify research needs and epidemiologic and laboratory research, including for the Network of forensic and toxicological laboratories;
  • identify and evaluate response measures; and
  • facilitate planning and inform policy.

How is EDAS organised?

The EUDA manages EDAS, the operation of which is supported by a network composed of EUDA staff, the Reitox network of national focal points, relevant national competent authorities in the EU Member States, Norway and Türkiye, the European Commission, and other relevant EU agencies. The EUDA organises regular meetings with the EDAS network, both in person and online. The agency works closely with the European Commission and EU Member States to ensure coherent and timely risk communication processes. Participation in EDAS may also be opened, where appropriate, to third countries or international organisations.

How does EDAS work? 

  • Through EDAS, the Reitox national focal points, in cooperation with the relevant national competent authorities, notify the EUDA, of any information relating to the appearance of serious direct or indirect drug-related risks. This may include details on the type and origin of the risk; the date and place of the event; analytical and toxicological data; or any health or safety measures implemented or planned at national level.
  • The EUDA then analyses and assesses the information received and draws on additional scientific and technical data from EUDA drug monitoring systems, the EWS, threat assessments, other EU bodies and international organisations. The assessment also incorporates open-source information, data from EUDA monitoring tools and input from relevant stakeholders, including the scientific community and civil society organisations.
  • Following this assessment, EDAS may disseminate targeted rapid alert risk communications on serious drug-related risks to the relevant national competent authorities, including the NFPs. The EUDA may include response options in its risk communications. Member States may consider these options as part of their national preparedness planning and response activities.
  • In cooperation with national competent authorities — in particular the NFPs — the EUDA may issue targeted alerts to make information on specific risks available, where relevant, to people who use, or may potentially use, drugs.
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