Europe‘s drug problem is becoming “increasingly complex” as the number of new, unregulated drugs coming onto the market continues to grow, even as use of more established substances declines, a report by the EU’s drug agency warned Tuesday.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction’s (EMCDDA) annual report warned of a “plethora” of new synthetic drugs emerging in Europe, often sold online as “legal highs” or disguised as herbal incense, bath salts, jewellery cleaner or even plant food.

It said 81 new drugs of this type had been identified in 2013 alone, bringing the total number of such substances being monitored by the agency to more than 350.

Synthetic drugs are usually produced with the intention of mimicking the effects of substances that are strictly controlled under national or international laws, such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis. Once an already identified synthetic drug has been made illegal, it is often quickly replaced by a new, unregulated version.

Abuse of heroin substitutes on the rise

Frequently, the synthetic drug can be more dangerous than the original it was designed to replace.

The EMCDDA’s report highlighted the case of MDPV, a drug that has been sold as a “legal” version of cocaine.

It said MDPV use has been associated with a total of 99 deaths since it first came on the European market in November 2008.

The report also warned of the rising use of synthetic opioids - the class of drugs to which heroin belongs - including methadone and buprenorphine.

Such drugs are often used to treat heroin addiction as, while still addictive, they pose less of a health risk - partly as they are taken by mouth rather than injected.

But now there is evidence to suggest that such substances are increasingly being taken recreationally by those who have never previously used heroin.

"In 2012, 17 countries reported that over 10 percent of first-time opioid clients entering specialist treatment were misusing opioids other than heroin," said the report.

In some countries, these drugs now represent the most common form of opioid abuse, for example in Finland, where buprenorphine is most popular.

Ecstasy, cannabis ‘getting stronger’

The report also warned that while Europe’s drug problem remains “stable” – with use of certain drugs such as heroin and cocaine in decline – some substances appear to be getting stronger, their active ingredients boosted in the lab.

“There are signs that the ecstasy and cannabis sold on the street are getting stronger,” said European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom .

“I am deeply concerned that the drugs consumed in Europe today may be even more damaging to users' health than in the past.”

Nevertheless, deaths related to drug abuse appear to be in decline across Europe, said the report.

There were around 6,100 drug overdose deaths reported in Europe in 2012, mainly related to heroin and other opioids, compared to 6,500 in 2011 and 7,100 in 2009.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)