Abstract: New drugs were detected in the European Union last year at the rate of around one per week, according to the EMCDDA–Europol 2011 annual report on new psychoactive substances released today. A total of 49 new psychoactive substances were officially notified for the first time in 2011 via the EU early-warning system (EWS). This represents the largest number of substances ever reported in a single year, up from 41 substances reported in 2010 and 24 in 2009.
Keywords: cooperation; risk assessment; monitoring; internet; addiction; chemical addiction; AOD dependence; other AOD substances; mephedrone; spice; designer drug; research chemical; cocaine contaminant; opioid contaminant; Europe; annual report