Essential Harm Reduction Services in Europe: Report on Policy Implementation for People Who Use Drugs

In 2024, Correlation - European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN) and its focal points, harm reduction service providers from across Europe, assessed the state of essential harm reduction services in European cities for the fifth time, with as many as 40 cities responding to a survey in 35 countries.

The publication is part of Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network’s Civil Society-led Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe 2024 Data Report, launched in 5 volumes: Hepatitis C Care, Essential Harm Reduction Services, New Drug Trends: Insights from Focus Group Discussions, European Drug Checking Trends 2018 – 2024 via TEDI and City Reports (Bratislava, Krakow, Rome, Prague).

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), there were globally 292 million people who used drugs in 2024 – a 20% increase compared to a decade earlier. Within this group, there were 64 million people ‘with drug use disorders’ (1) and only 1-in-11 were in treatment. The estimated number of people injecting drugs was 13.9 million (700,000 more than in 2021), and nearly half of them lived with hepatitis C (UNODC, 2024).

Meanwhile, in Europe, an estimated four million adults used cocaine in the previous year (an increase from 3.7 million in 2021); 2.9 million using MDMA (up from 2.3 million in 2021); and 2.3 million using amphetamines (compared to 2 million in 2021). The number of ‘high-risk opioid users’(2) was estimated at 860,000 (a decrease from one million in 2021), and approximately 60% of them received opioid agonist treatment (513,000) (EUDA, 2024c). Cocaine was the second most frequently reported drug among people entering treatment for the first time, with 21% mentioning it (EUDA, 2024a). The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) also reports stable and high availability of most controlled substances in Europe, increasing availability of ketamine, and the appearance of a new synthetic mixture on the European market, ‘pink cocaine’ (EUDA, 2024b).

The changing trends in drug markets, stable and high availability of a wide range of substances, new emerging challenges, and very low treatment enrolment show clearly that the role of harm reduction is essential in addressing drug-related harms. Harm reduction services play a crucial role in reducing risks associated with drug use. They also help lessen the negative effects of strict drug laws, fight social stigma, and improve the overall well-being of people who use drugs. Given the significance of harm reduction, it is essential to monitor these efforts across Europe. This monitoring helps to understand what is working, identify areas for improvement, and adapt to changing needs. By staying informed, we can better support people who use drugs and enhance safety in our communities.

Access the report here.

Source: C-EHRN