Shocked the details of a recent pan -European report for the drugs With Greece it is high on the lists of HIV infection among intravenous users.
The European Drug Exhibition 2025 published by EMCDDA (EUDA) captures a continent that is flooded with cocaine, new synthetic drugs and powerful opioids.
In Greece, the drugs of the “old school” – heroin, tramadol and benzodiazepines – remain dominant, while HIV rates among the injectable users are one of the highest in Europe.
According to the National Organization for Addiction and Dependencies (EOPAE), the picture is as follows:
In Europe there is an increase in more powerful synthetic drugs, such as synthetic sites, synthetic opioids (eg nitaznes) and cannabis, which cause unprecedented pressure on health systems and the criminal system. Nitazenia are associated with increased deaths from overdose and are detected in adulterated drugs. Large seizures of synthetic conjunctions, mainly from India and EU countries, such as Poland, show an increasing trend. The possible lack of heroin due to a ban on opium production in Afghanistan raises strong concerns about changing the substance of use to more dangerous synthetic drugs in the European field. At the same time, cannabis and cocaine are increasing, with hemp becoming stronger and cocaine setting a record of seizures (419 tonnes in 2023), phenomena that not only affect trafficking paths, but also intensify drug -related violence in the EU.
Greece: Users insist on “old” drugs – the use by city
Tramadol and heroin are sweeping on drug tracks in our country, as evidenced by the analyzes of the Escape Study (which analyzed syringes) in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and Heraklion, Crete.
From these analyzes, in fact, the profile of substance use in Greece comes to the surface.
More specifically:
In Athens, high levels of tramadol ((17%) – analgesic are identified that, although pharmaceutical, is consumed extensively by users -benzodiazepines (10%) and pregabaline (<1%).
Thessaloniki has a significant consumption of cocaine
In Patras, buprenorphine is detected in large quantity
In Heraklion, synthetic sites are dominated (bath salts)
The above data confirms the multipurpose in our country, that is, the simultaneous use of more than one or two illegal drugs. Practice that is particularly dangerous to the health of addicts.
At the same time, there is a persistent presence of opiates, as opposed to other countries where heroin use recedes.
The following are pointed out by EOPAE:
Greece, being a key position, is a drug crossing country from Asia and Africa to the EU. In 2023, it was one of the three EU countries (along with the Netherlands and France) where illegal heroin packaging laboratories were unlawful, used to cut and squeeze the substance to distribute and outside the EU.
The report emphasizes for Greece the importance of the new 2023 legislation on the disposal of Naloxon for use by all, as a direct priority measure to address overdose.
The National Coordinator for the Treatment of Addictions Mr. Athanasios Theocharis said:
In a period of intense concern about the development of a new profile of pan -European use, with synthetic drugs, opioids and stimulants, gaining ground, and new forms of dependencies emerging, such as gambling, internet and gambling, our country. In Greece we are at a substantial turning point for addictions, as we face through the single organization all dependencies, holistic, without restrictions in every area.
HIV and injectable drug use: Greece in the first places
In 2023, Greece records from the highest HIV rates to injectable users in Europe, with 1.6 new incidents per 1,000,000 population.
The overwhelming majority concerns men, while 83% of users are at least daily.
Despite the persistence of the problem, the number of people who received substitutes (eg methadone) through OKANA programs is increasing.
In 2022, it was 8,017 – a number increased compared to 2021 (7,708), but reduced by 2020 (8,370).
Europe in crisis: cocaine and synthetic drugs on top
Cocaine is now found in almost all the major cities of the EU, with the seizure of drug tones having increased sharply. Specifically, in 2022 a record of 323 tonnes of confiscated drugs was recorded by the authorities of drug circuits.
The offer remains highly high, with experts pointing out that the “traditional” South America drug cartel has adapted its routes.
It now has an enhanced presence in ports such as Antwerp, Rotterdam and Barcelona.
Escape Analysis on Syrians Residues in 19 major EU cities and Norway showed:
At the same time, the number of new synthetic substances found for the first time is increased: 26 new substances, in particular, appeared in 2023, while the phenomenon of strong fentanyl opioids (synthetic opioid used as analgesic during anesthesia).
Although there is not yet a massive presence of synthetic drugs in the EU, US experience is a warning.
Overdose of overdose
At the same time, according to the same data, the number of homeless users has increased, while at the same time highlighting the need for targeted interventions with a focus on reducing damage, reintegration and disease prevention.
The streetwork has been upgraded, mainly through NGOs, but hosting and rehabilitation structures are still lacking in real needs.
In Europe, there are already 6,500 overdose deaths for 2023, with 80% of them being associated with opioids.
In Greece, the phenomenon has not yet explored, but experts find that alert is required, as new synthetic drugs are beginning to appear sporadically.
Source Iatropedia.gr