**Cocaine Involved in Majority of Overdose Deaths in Cyprus, EU Report Reveals**
According to the latest annual European drug report released by the European Union drugs agency on Tuesday, cocaine has been implicated in the majority of drug overdose deaths in Cyprus in 2024. This alarming trend aligns with findings from other EU member states, including Luxembourg, Malta, and Portugal, where cocaine also played a significant role in overdose fatalities.
The report highlights a broader issue across the European Union, indicating that while cocaine is a major contributor to overdose deaths in specific countries, opioids remain the leading cause of overdose deaths in many others. Data from at least 20 EU member states point to opioids as the primary substance involved in these tragic incidents.
In addition to overdose statistics, the report addresses public health concerns related to the potential for HIV outbreaks linked to drug use. It notes that the sharing of needles among drug users, particularly with the increased use of stimulants like cocaine, poses a risk for HIV transmission. However, it is important to note that the number of HIV diagnoses associated with injecting drug use across the EU has declined, with 822 cases reported in 2023. Despite this decrease, the diagnosis rate of 1.83 per million people remains significantly higher than the United Nations programme on HIV and Aids (UNAids) target of 0.9 per million.
To combat the spread of HIV among drug users, the report emphasizes the necessity of providing sterile injecting equipment. It points out that current levels of needle and syringe provision are insufficient in several EU member states, including Cyprus, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. This inadequacy could hinder efforts to reduce the risk of HIV transmission among high-risk populations.
The report also identifies a concerning trend of high-risk methamphetamine use in Cyprus, estimating that approximately 38,200 individuals on the island fall into this category. This statistic underscores the growing complexity of drug use patterns in the region.
Overall, the European Commission's findings indicate that illicit drugs are increasingly impacting health and security across Europe. The report notes that drugs have become more available, diverse, and potent, with new cannabis products emerging and the variety of opioids and stimulants on the rise.
The report further warns of the significant threat posed by drug trafficking, highlighting that organized crime networks are adapting their trafficking routes and methods to evade law enforcement efforts. This shift follows intensified policing operations at major European ports, which have aimed to disrupt drug supply chains.
European Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner, upon presenting the report, stressed the urgent need to address the issue of overdose deaths, which have reached a staggering total of 7,600 across Europe. He called for a comprehensive approach to prevent dangerous new drugs from entering the market and urged law enforcement to take decisive action against illegal traffickers.
As Cyprus grapples with the implications of these findings, the need for effective public health strategies and law enforcement measures becomes increasingly critical. The report serves as a call to action for both national and EU-level authorities to enhance their efforts in preventing drug-related harm and protecting public health.