Opioids were implicated in most of the 6,100 overdose deaths in Europe in 2012, but the situation is becoming increasing complex in the case of synthetic drugs, a new report reveals.

These synthetic drugs, including stimulants, new psychoactive substances and medicinal products, are becoming more prominent in drug markets throughout Europe.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) European drug report 2014 summarises the latest trends across the 28 EU member states, as well as in Norway and Turkey.

Both the quantity of heroin and the number of seizures have fallen considerably in recent years and the numbers entering treatment for heroin use continues to decline. In Ireland, 3,971 (52 per cent) of those who entered treatment for drug problems in 2012 reported opioids, mainly heroin, as their primary problem drug.

The number of those entering treatment for the first time for heroin use was 949 in 2012. This is the equivalent of 29 per cent of new clients entering treatment.

In Ireland, 8 per cent of first-time opioid clients entering specialised treatment in 2012 were misusing opioids other than heroin. Among opioid clients entering treatment in 2012, 45 per cent reported injecting the drug.