Issued on: 25.06.2026
Press Release 76/2026
International Day Against Drug Abuse
Ongoing problems, new challenges, innovative solutions
On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse on June 26, the increasing dynamics of the market for synthetic substances as well as the need for new prevention and combat strategies are brought into focus.
“The current drug report clearly shows: The well-known challenges remain, while new risks are emerging at the same time. The drug market is changing rapidly, new psychoactive substances are continually entering circulation, and distribution channels are becoming increasingly complex. It is all the more important to continuously further develop proven measures of prevention and harm reduction and to create innovative offerings where new needs arise,” emphasizes Bettina Altesleben, Secretary of State and State Drug Commissioner of Saarland.
Therefore, Saarland is relying on a consistent and future-oriented drug policy with a focus on prevention, health and consumer protection, as well as harm reduction.
In the field of prevention, personnel resources were specifically expanded, especially in the course of the partial legalization of cannabis. In addition, new digital access points were created. With the podcast "Potcast.saarland – Rolling Out the Facts," Saarland is taking innovative approaches to cannabis prevention and provides young people in particular with scientifically sound and practical information about the risks and consequences of consumption.
“Prevention is the most effective protection against addiction. At the same time, harm reduction saves lives. That is why we rely on a comprehensive support network for people with addiction disorders in Saarland,” said Altesleben.
These include low-threshold services such as the drug consumption room, needle exchange programs, the distribution of consumption utensils, substitution treatments, as well as the psychosocial support of substituted individuals. An important contribution is also made by the Naloxone program, which was established early on in Saarland and enables relatives and affected persons to initiate life-saving immediate measures in the event of an opioid overdose.
Further information
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) published its European Drug Report 2026 on June 9, 2026. The report provides an up-to-date overview of the drug situation and the illegal drug market in Europe. The key finding: the risks for users are increasing. In addition to the still widespread substances such as cannabis and cocaine, more and more new synthetic substances are entering the market – often with unknown potency or as adulterants in other drugs, without users being aware of it.
In the year 2025 alone, 50 new psychoactive substances were registered for the first time across Europe. In total, the EUDA now monitors more than 1,000 substances. Particular concern is caused by the increasing spread of synthetic opioids and cannabinoids, as well as the high availability of cocaine, crack, and new synthetic stimulants.
