The EU Early Warning System (EWS) plays a central role in supporting national- and EU-level preparedness and responses to new psychoactive substances (NPS). It has been in operation since 1997 and is comprised of the EMCDDA, Europol and 29 national early warning systems across Europe, as well as European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission.
In 2022, the EWS celebrated 25 years of existence. This interactive timeline highlights some of the key achievements and milestones over the last 25 years of monitoring new psychoactive substances in Europe. An alternative timeline with additional key events over the last 25 years is also available as a poster in PDF format.
The source data for this timeline is available in the source table on this page.
| Year | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | EWS established | The European Union Early Warning System on new synthetic drugs is established. Entry into force of the 1997 Joint Action on New Synthetic Drugs, assigning the EMCDDA a key role in the detection and assessment of new synthetic drugs in the EU. |
| 1998 | First new synthetic drug risk-assessed | MBDB is the first new synthetic drug risk-assessed under the new legislation. A meeting for the risk assessment of MBDB is organised at the EMCDDA in November (MBDB is subsequently subject to active monitoring). |
| 1999 | First guidelines for risk assessment | The first guidelines for the risk assessment of new synthetic drugs are published. |
| 2000 | Ketamine and GHB risk-assessed | Ketamine and GHB are risk-assessed in September. A decision is taken to continue monitoring ketamine and GHB. |
| 2001 | Cooperation agreement with Europol | A cooperation agreement is signed between the EMCDDA and Europol. |
| 2002 | PMMA controlled | In October 2001, the EMCDDA concludes the risk assessment of PMMA. PMMA is subsequently controlled. |
| 2003 | TMA-2, 2C-I, 2C-T-2, 2C-T-7 risk-assessed and controlled | The risks of 2C-I, 2C-T-2, 2C-T-7 and TMA-2 are assessed by the EMCDDA and the risks assessments are submitted to the European Commission and Council in April. In November, the Council of the EU subjects 2C-I, 2C-T-2, 2C-T-7 and TMA-2 to control measures. |
| 2004 | 10 new Member States join the EWS Network | 10 new Member States join the EWS, following EU enlargement: Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. |
| 2005 | New legislation on NPS enters into force | New legislation strengthens the EU response to NPS. Entry into force of the Council Decision 2005/387/JHA on the information exchange, risk assessment and control of new psychoactive substances. |
| 2006 | European Database on New Drugs launched | European Database on New Drugs (EDND) is launched. |
| 2007 | First operating guidelines for EWS | The first operating guidelines for EWS on NPS are published. |
| 2008 | First e-POD study on GHB and GBL | The E-POD study on GHB and GBL following triangulation of data sources is published. |
| 2009 | First meeting and publication on understanding the 'Spice' phenomenon | The first meeting on synthetic cannabinoids is organised in Lisbon and the report Understanding the 'Spice' phenomenon is published. |
| 2010 | First cathinone risk-assessed and controlled | Mephedrone, legally available in powder form via the internet and 'smart shops', is the first synthetic cathinone risk-assessed. Mephedrone is subject to EU control measures in December. |
| 2011 | First international forum on new drugs |
The 11th Annual meeting of the Reitox EWS network and the First International Forum on New Drugs are organised in Lisbon. |
| 2012 | First international conference on NPS in Budapest | The first international conference on NPS is organised in Budapest. |
| 2013 | Interactive resource on synthetic cannabinoids | The tool for exploring the chemical structure of synthetic cannabinoids is published. |
| 2014 | MDPV, 25I-NBOMe, methoxetamine and AH-7921 risk-assessed | The risk assessments of MDPV, methoxetamine, AH-7921 and 25I-NBOMe are formally concluded in April. In September, the risk assessment of 4,4’-DMAR and MT-45 are completed. |
| 2015 | First update from the EU Early Warning System | The first update from the EU Early Warning System is published. |
| 2016 | First synthetic cannabinoid risk-assessed | MDMB-CHMICA is the first synthetic cannabinoid risk-assessed. |
| 2017 | First derivative of fentanyl risk-assessed and controlled | Acryloylfentanyl is the first derivative of fentanyl risk-assessed and placed under EU control. |
| 2018 | New legislation strengthens the EWS | New legislation strengthens the EWS and brings faster response to NPS: Regulation (EU) 2017/2101 and Directive (EU) 2017/2103 enter into force. |
| 2019 | New EWS operating guidelines | New EWS operating guidelines are published: EMCDDA operating guidelines for the European Union Early Warning System on new psychoactive substances. |
| 2020 | New risk assessment guidelines | New risk assessment operating guidelines are published. |
| 2021 | 3-MMC and 3-CMC risk-assessed | In November, 3-MMC and 3-CMC are risk-assessed. |
| 2022 | 25 years of early warning and response to NPS in Europe | EMCDDA celebrates 25 years of early warning and response to NPS in Europe. |