EUDA Executive Director, Alexis Goosdeel, issued a critical Call to action to EU partners and Member States today urging them to unite against the growing threat posed by new synthetic opioids. In his address — 'New synthetic opioids – European preparedness and response' — he highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action.
Mr Goosdeel delivered the call at the meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (LIBE), where he was presenting the work of the new agency and the state of the drugs problem in Europe.
'We only need to look to North America to see what can happen if we fail to act', he warned, referencing how the spread of synthetic opioids there had devastated communities and caused hundreds of thousands of deaths.
Mr Goosdeel drew attention to two important emerging threats. First, the potential disruption of Europe's heroin supply from Afghanistan (following the Taliban's 2022 ban on opium poppy cultivation), which could drive users toward potent synthetic opioids. Second, the increasing availability of dangerous new synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes, heightening the risk of overdose in Europe. 'These developments create the conditions for a perfect storm,' he cautioned.
Mr Goosdeel outlined the EUDA's proactive 'Acting today, anticipating tomorrow' approach. This includes the development of innovative EU-wide drug alert and threat assessment services and cooperation with Member States to establish a new network of forensic and toxicological laboratories, which will generate data and exchange information on new developments and trends.
'We need to be vigilant and prepared because of the potentially significant threats we face', he said. 'Preparedness is necessarily a joined-up endeavour. EU countries face similar threats, and we need to act together if we are to succeed'.
The Call to action is anchored in the EUDA's forward-thinking service model, centred on four key functions: Anticipate, Alert, Respond, and Learn.
Watch the presentation to the LIBE Committee >>
