Central Drug Warning Center to Improve Prevention - Bavaria’s ‘News’ System Fights Deadly Rise of Synthetic Drugs in Europe
Bavaria has launched a pioneering system called 'News' to combat the rising threat of new psychoactive substances. The opioid crisis in the U.S., which has claimed nearly 81,000 lives last year, is feared to follow a similar trajectory in Europe. Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) has warned of the increasing potency of synthetic drugs like fentanyl and nitazenes.
The 'News' system aims to detect new psychoactive substances early and issue rapid alerts to at-risk groups. It compiles data from toxicology labs, experts, users, and other sources. The system can help detect new substances early, as noted by Minister Gerlach. She highlighted the rise in synthetic drugs with increasingly potent effects on the market. The U.S. has been grappling with an opioid epidemic for over 15 years, with many overdose deaths linked to opioid use. The system aims to warn addicts about emerging risks, such as contamination or dangerously high concentrations of substances. The warning comes amid growing concerns over synthetic opioids, which are designed to mimic the effects of heroin and other opium-derived drugs. In Europe, synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes have been observed increasingly, often appearing as additives in heroin or counterfeit medications. Germany has seen a significant rise in deaths related to synthetic opioids, with authorities warning of a similar development to the U.S. opioid crisis.
Bavaria's 'News' system is a proactive measure to strengthen prevention against the rising threat of new synthetic drugs. By detecting and alerting at-risk groups early, the system aims to mitigate the potential impact of these highly potent and difficult-to-control substances. As the opioid crisis in the U.S. serves as a stark warning, Europe must remain vigilant and responsive to emerging drug threats.
