Our activities — the EMCDDA's ongoing projects, services and tools
The work of the EMCDDA is underpinned by two long-term goals: to contribute to a healthier Europe and to a more secure Europe. To achieve our mission, we have developed a systemic approach that brings together the human networks, processes and scientifc tools necessary for collecting, analysing and reporting on all aspects of the European drugs phenomenon. This page is designed to be a window onto the agency's work. The aspects presented below are grouped in broad working areas but in reality activities are complementary and frequently overlap.
For an overview of the EMCDDA's course of travel to 2025, see EMCDDA Strategy 2025. For a detailed view of the agency's work by year, please see our General report of activities.
Communicating evidence and knowledge exchange
The most tangible results of the agency's work are its products and publications. The links below provide quick access to some key outputs (others are listed according to the most appropriate working areas).
- Publications database Searchable catalogue of products published by the EMCDDA.
- Statistical Bulletin Based on national data submitted to the EMCDDA and published yearly.
- European Drug Report The EMCDDA's annual analysis of the drugs problem in Europe.
- Best Practice Portal A key online resource for practitioners and policymakers.
- EU drug market overviews reporting on the ever-changing market for illicit drugs in Europe.
- Scientific articles by EMCDDA staff Articles in scientific journals authored by EMCDDA staff.
- Visual storytelling Infographics, motion graphics and videos.
- IATE glossaryMultilingual glossary of drug-related terms
Supporting policy
The EMCDDA supports drug policy dialogue at EU level by providing expertise and technical information to the EU institutions, as well as by maintaining communication with the Member States. The links below provide some additional information on this important activity.
- EMCDDA partnerships An overview of the EMCDDA's partnerships and agreements.
- EMCDDA visits and meetings Face-to-face engagement with policymakers and decision-makers.
- Drug policy evaluation Online toolbox to assist policymakers in choosing the optimal evaluation approach.
- Cannabis policy in Europe and beyond, including news alerts Alert service on recent global developments in cannabis legislation.
Supporting practice
The EMCDDA's support to practice involves the dissemination of best practice and the design and implementation of capacity-building and training initiatives for different audiences. The links below cover various aspects of this key activity.
- Best Practice Portal A key online resource for practitioners and policymakers.
- Evidence database The latest research on drug-related interventions.
- Xchange prevention registry Database of evidence-based prevention programmes.
- Healthy Nightlife Toolbox Good practice information for nightlife settings.
- European Drugs Summer School One of the EMCDDA's key learning and knowledge-exchange activities.
- European Responses Guide Our state-of-the-art overview of the responses to drug use.
- Hepatitis C initiative Supporting the HCV elimination agenda – an EMCDDA initiative to increase access to testing and treatment through drugs services.
- Reitox Academies Training and capacity-building initiative for partners in Europe and beyond.
- CEPOL trainings Training activities for law enforcement professionals.
- Lisbon Addictions A major date in the global addictions calendar, organised every two years.
Ensuring scientific excellence
Quality assurance at every stage of the EMCDDA's scientific work is of critical importance for the agency.
- EMCDDA Scientific Committee A board of fifteen leading scientists, ensuring the EMCDDA's work meets the highest level of scientific excellence.
- EMCDDA internal statistics code of practice Establishes the principles that guide the agency's work.
- Scientific award Celebrating scientific writing and distinguishing high-quality research.
- Drug-related research Information on drug-related research resources in Europe.
Responding to new psychoactive substances (NPS)
With its partners in Member States, Europol and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the EMCDDA is responsible for ensuring the continuous and robust implementation of the Early Warning System on the information exchange, risk assessment and control of new psychoactive substances (NPS).
Identifying and tracking emerging trends and threats
The detection and monitoring of new trends and threats is one of the EMCDDA's key tasks. The agency is proactively involved in the development of innovative systems for identifying and tracking new and emerging trends.
- EMCDDA trendspotter studies Rapid information assessment that uses multiple social research methods to explore a topic of interest.
- European Drug Emergencies Network (Euro-DEN) Insight into acute health harms related to drug use.
- Wastewater-based drug epidemiology Innovative approach involving 50 European cities and 20 countries.
- Hair drug testing Collecting information on the use of substances through hair samples.
Monitoring and analysing situation, responses and trends
This area encompasses the core monitoring and analysis activities of the EMCDDA. These activities are based on established tools and processes (such as the key epidemiological indicators) complemented by the development of new ones as necessary.
- Key epidemiological indicators An overview of the main indicators underpinning much of the agency's monitoring work.
- Prevalence and patterns of drug use This indicator is based on a number of tools, including probabilistic surveys among the general and the schools populations.
- Problem drug use This indicator collects data on the prevalence and incidence of problem drug use at national and local level.
- Treatment demand This indicator provides information on the numbers of people entering treatment for a drug problem at a national and local level.
- Drug-related deaths and mortality This indicator provides insights into the number and characteristics of people who die as a consequence of drug use.
- Drug-related infectious diseases The EMCDDA collects data on the extent of infectious diseases — primarily HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection — among people who inject drugs.
- Expert meetings Engagement with leading experts to develop and improve the agency's scientific tools.
- European Web Survey on Drugs:a key ingredient in the EMCDDA’s responsiveness to an ever-shifting drugs problem
- ESPAD schools survey project The EMCDDA manages the ESPAD (European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) network, data collection and website.
- Prisons Drug use and drug-related responses in prison are one of the EMCDDA's key working areas.
Cooperation with international and national partners
Cooperation with EU, national, and international partners is of key strategic importance to the EMCDDA. These partners include the Reitox network of national focal points, EU bodies, international organisations, neighbouring and candidate countries.
- Reitox national focal points The national focal points are one of the cornerstones of the European drug monitoring and reporting system.
- European and international partners Cooperation with EU and international organisations is of key strategic importance to the EMCDDA.
- EMCDDA-IPA 8 The EMCDDA cooperates with candidate countries and potential candidates through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).
- EU4Monitoring Drugs (EU4MD) EU-funded project involving countries in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) area.
- EMCDDA4GE Supporting Georgia on drug-related health and security threats.
- COPOLAD Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on drug policies.
- EMPACT: keeping the European Union safe