During 2011 TEDI developed a database that collects, monitors and analyses the evolution of various European drug trends in recreational settings. This system continues to operate allowing information about drug trends to be easily compared across Europe.

The aim of this monitoring and information system is to help to optimize public health, prevention and harm reduction intervention strategies/programs. It serves as an early warning system and a tool for monitoring the evolution of drug markets in Europe.

TEDI also focuses its efforts on reporting the emergence of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in recreational settings and monitoring their evolution throughout Europe. Over the last few years, at least one new NPS on the market was being reported every week. Besides this market’s dynamic, TEDI has detected a disturbing phenomenon that needs to be confronted by drug checking services – the inclusion of NPS as adulterants in the most commonly consumed illicit drugs including cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamine, LSD and ketamine. This trend seems to be spreading among all of the countries currently being monitored by TEDI.

These trends should thus be followed closely and appropriately addressed by providing information and harm reduction messages to users themself.