BRUSSELS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Europe's cocaine market continues to grow with the volumes seized at an all-time high in 2017, according to European Drug Report 2019 released by the Lisbon-based European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).
The European Drug Report provides a comprehensive analysis of recent drug use and market trends across the European Union (EU), Norway and Turkey.
The 2019 report highlights in particular an increase in cocaine availability with seizures at a record high, amounting to 140.4 tonnes, double the quantity seized in 2016 (70.9 tonnes).
It also explores the challenges associated with new synthetic opioids, the latest developments in the cannabis market and synthetic drug production in Europe.
"Drugs remain a constantly evolving, multi-faceted threat for our societies, affecting the life of millions of citizens around the world. We also need to look at the role of digitalization in the drug market. We have no time to spare. We need to be coordinated at the national, European and international levels. Together with our EU drugs agency, we will continue to play a leading role in this effort," said Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos.
