The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a new “EU Drugs Strategy” and Action Plan against drug trafficking as a “comprehensive EU response” to the security, health, social and environmental challenges linked to the trafficking and use of illicit drugs. “Drug trafficking constitutes a global criminal business and a major threat to Europeans’ wellbeing as well as Europe’s security as a whole”, a statement from the Commission reads. “Illicit drugs such as cocaine and synthetic drugs continue to drive violence, corruption, and the exploitation of the legal economy. Drug traffickers have developed new methods with constantly shifting trafficking routes, operating across the globe and increasingly online”. At the same time, “drug abuse poses a serious threat to public health, as new substances further increase the risks of poisoning and overdoses. Children and young people are particularly affected. In addition, the production of drugs causes significant environmental damage, including through toxic waste. These evolving dynamics demand a stronger, coordinated response across the EU”.