The Illegal Market of Addictive Products Poses a Greater Threat than the Health Impacts

Brussels, March 18, 2025 – The EU and the European Commission urgently need a fundamental reform of addiction policy. The issue goes beyond the alarming number of people dying from addiction-related causes—it has also become a serious security concern affecting Europe and global stability. Experts warn of increasing risks linked to illegal financial flows that support totalitarian regimes and international terrorism. In this context, the problem can no longer be viewed solely as a matter of policing and security, especially within the EU.

This was highlighted during the panel discussion “Is the EU’s Approach to Addiction Evidence-Based?” organised by the Institute for Rational Addiction Policies (IRAP) in Brussels.

“Revenue from the expanding illegal market in drugs, counterfeit tobacco products, alcohol, illegal gambling, and counterfeit medicines is generating financial flows comparable to those of the gas industry,” said Jindřich Vobořil, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “These funds are increasingly flowing into totalitarian regimes and supporting international terrorism.”

Despite decades of research, the harm reduction approach focused on minimising risks and consequences remains marginal in EU policy. Unrealistic ideological visions of a drug-free society often overshadow scientifically grounded interventions. The debate raised the question of whether the EU is genuinely committed to implementing effective, evidence-based strategies for addiction prevention and harm reduction.

The event brought together leading European politicians, security experts and representatives from international organisations and NGOs. Among the prominent speakers were former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former Czech Interior Minister Ivan Langer, Professor Wim van den Brink (University of Amsterdam), Professor Ethan Nadelmann (Harvard University), and former Czech National Drug Coordinator Jindřich Vobořil. Their presence highlighted the growing relevance of the topic and the need for open, high-level debate at the European level.

“Addictive substances are not only one of the greatest public health crises of our time, they are also a major driving force behind the illegal economy, financing organised crime and threatening public safety. Overly repressive approaches do not work. Instead of reducing crime, they strengthen the black market and further marginalise vulnerable populations,” said President Kwaśniewski. “If we cannot compete with well-regulated legal markets, we leave substantial profits in the hands of criminal networks. It is time to rethink ineffective strategies and promote evidence-based solutions that combine regulation, prevention, and support for those in need. This is why we are calling for urgent reform within the European Union.”

Former Interior Minister Ivan Langer also addressed the panel: “As a Member of Parliament in 1998, I actively opposed the criminalisation of drug users and helped introduce methadone as part of substitution treatment. I co-authored the book Rational Drug Policy, which outlined four key pillars of this strategy, all based on scientific evidence. As Interior Minister in 2008, I contributed to the development of the EU Action Plan 2009–2012, where we successfully incorporated harm reduction principles. During the Czech EU Presidency in 2009, I led negotiations on drug policy and presented EU conclusions in Vienna. My participation in this panel is not just symbolic, it reflects my long-term commitment to this issue and the reason for my presence in Brussels.”

Ganna Dovbakh, Executive Director of the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA), added: “The current imbalance in implementing the EU drug strategy, where funding is heavily skewed toward security, law enforcement and crime prevention, must be addressed. Equal attention must be given to health and social interventions. Policymakers should prioritise the health and rights of people who use drugs to close existing gaps and ensure universal access to care. Expanding community-led harm reduction services must become a health priority—not only at the EU level, but also within national and regional health policies.”

Michael Fanta, Chief Analyst at the Centre for Economic and Market Analysis (CETA), noted: “If taxes or restrictions are too high, consumers shift to illegal alternatives. This weakens both public finances and the effectiveness of public policy. The best outcomes come from a balanced approach: reasonable taxation, reasonable regulation, and support for safer alternatives. But the most cost-effective strategy from an economic perspective is prevention, it is always less expensive than dealing with consequences.”

Opening of the Brussels Office

In this context, the Institute for Rational Addiction Policies announced the opening of its Brussels office.

“Addictive commodities such as alcohol, tobacco, illegal substances like cannabis, cocaine, psychedelics, opioids, and gambling are financially comparable to sectors like energy. At the same time, they pose an unprecedented health burden in terms of preventable diseases. From a global security perspective, the illegal market now presents a greater threat than the health impacts of these substances themselves,” said Jindřich Vobořil. “By opening our Brussels office, we aim to advocate more directly for the need for reform. We want to increase our influence on specific policy solutions, whether in regulatory processes within the European Commission or improved coordination between its Directorates-General. The current situation, where topics such as alcohol are addressed by one secretariat and illegal drugs or tobacco by another, and with no unified agenda for areas such as gambling or digital addictions, is unsustainable. Radical changes are needed. We must also ensure that financial mechanisms are in place to support research and prevention.”

About IRAP

The Institute for Rational Addiction Policies (IRAP) is an independent organisation based in the Czech Republic, dedicated to promoting scientifically grounded addiction policies. Its mission is to support a rational, integrated approach to addiction, including regulation, substitution, and addressing security aspects of the grey market. These policies aim to minimise harm, with abstinence as one possible outcome, but not the only one.

David Hluštík

Spokesperson, Institute for Rational Addiction Policies

+420 602 244 776 | hlustik@addiction-policy.eu