2022 was a year of solid progress for the EMCDDA as it advanced with designing and delivering more innovative and faster services to its key customers. It was also a year of renewed hope for the agency’s future, with the launch of the EU procedure for adopting a new, broader mandate for the EMCDDA. These are among the developments described in the latest General Report of Activities released today, which provides an overview of key achievements and governance.
The agency continued to prioritise the production of timely and high-quality information to inform policy and practice, publishing 66 scientific and institutional publications, and co-authoring 16 articles in high-impact scientific journals. The European Drug Report 2022, the EMCDDA's flagship publication, was launched virtually in June, and was accompanied by a special update from the EU Early Warning System (EWS) on new psychoactive substances (NPS) to mark its 25th anniversary. 41 NPS were detected for the first time in the EU in 2022 and were reported in a timely manner to the EU EWS.
The agency played an active role in training and capacity building, with nearly 950 professionals trained in the drugs field, and over 1 200 attending its webinars. In addition, the EMCDDA co-organised the fourth European Conference on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies, Lisbon Addictions, which brought together 1 757 participants from 84 countries.
Within the health domain, the EMCDDA focused on addressing drug-related public health concerns. Key priorities included reducing drug-related deaths, promoting hepatitis C testing and treatment among people who inject drugs, and implementing evidence-based prevention interventions. The agency released several miniguides under the European Responses Guide covering topics such as drugs in recreational settings, local communities, schools and prisons.
In the security area, the EMCDDA collaborated closely with Europol to prepare the fourth edition of the joint EU Drug Markets: In-depth analysis and launched the first two modules on cocaine and methamphetamine in Brussels in May. It actively contributed to the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) operational action plans and delivered drug-related training activities for law enforcement professionals.
Significant progress was made in institutional and strategic developments. The EMCDDA started to prepare for the new mandate proposed by the European Commission, which is set to be adopted in 2023. It also continued to provide support for the EU Drugs Action Plan 2021–2025.
The agency also focused on customer-centric communication and service delivery, providing timely products and services through digital channels. Its website reached a record annual number of 2.6 million visitors, and social media engagement increased substantially.
Collaboration with partners played a crucial role in the EMCDDA's work. The agency worked closely with the Reitox network of national focal points and continued its joint activities with other EU and international partners. Cooperation with third countries was successfully carried out within the EU-funded technical cooperation projects IPA7, EU4MD, EMCDDA4GE and COPOLAD III.
Overall, the EMCDDA's activities in 2022 demonstrated its commitment to providing valuable information, analysis, and training in the field of drugs and drug addiction. By focusing on health, security and its customer-centric approach, the agency made significant contributions to drug policy and practice across Europe and beyond.
