Illicit drug production poses a growing threat to public health and security in Europe. Monitoring drug precursor markets helps detect emerging risks and enables timely EU-level responses to disrupt supply and prevent diversion and trafficking into illicit drug production. Today, the EUDA has published nine reports resulting from the first ever precursor assessments conducted at EU level. They were carried out at the request of the European Commission in 2024 and examined nine drug precursors identified as potential risks.
The assessments in question, concluded by January 2025, relate to eight precursors linked to the production of four synthetic cathinones (3-CMC, 3-MMC, 4-CMC, 4-MMC) and one precursor used in amphetamine production. The reports provide structured, evidence-based evaluations of the substances and their role in illicit drug production. Each report summarises the available information on use, trafficking, distribution and the possible consequences of scheduling, thereby supporting a consistent EU-level understanding of precursor-related developments.
The EUDA’s expanded competence in the area of drug precursors entered into force in July 2024. Under the EUDA regulation (Article 14), the agency supports the European Commission and Member States by monitoring precursors used in the production of both controlled illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS). The tasks include: notifying Member States of detections of new drug precursors; providing scientific technical assessments of precursors of concern; summarising key trends and developments; assisting the Commission in scheduling decisions; and supplying scientific data and analysis to inform EU policy.
Together, these activities strengthen situational awareness and coordinated EU action to address the diversion and trafficking of drug precursors. These first EU-level precursor assessment reports mark a significant step forward in addressing the drug phenomenon in Europe, particularly in the context of increasing illicit drug production within the EU.
Drug precursors are substances essential to the manufacture of synthetic drugs such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA and synthetic cathinones, and to the processing of cocaine and heroin. Effective monitoring of their diversion and trafficking is therefore central to preventing illicit drug production and reducing associated harms.
Also launched today is a new EUDA web activity page on drug production and precursors, providing access to the EUDA’s work in this area.
