Record Cocaine Seizures in EU as Drug Trade Thrives during Pandemic

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Synthetic drug production and cannabis cultivation in Europe also "did not appear to be seriously affected".

The report warned that "the events of 2020 are likely to have a long-term impact on the future challenges arising in the drugs area".

During the pandemic there were signs of "declining interest in substances like MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) and cocaine that are commonly used in social settings".

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But there were also reports of a greater use of more novel substances such as the psychoactive drug benzodiazepines, "possibly driven in part by shortages of more established drugs".

"We must be concerned that... as the economic repercussions of the crisis take effect, some in our communities may become more vulnerable to drug problems," Agency Director Alexis Goosdeel said. 

(Writer: RFO-SJW/JS/BP, Agence France-Presse) 

Source: http://u.afp.com/3RQU