Europe’s escalating fentanyl crisis
18.10.2023
Question for written answer E-003085/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Isabella Adinolfi (PPE)
Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, and its use is not just an American issue: while the USA accounted for 19.3 % of global fentanyl consumption in 2021, Germany, Spain and Italy were close behind, with 14.5 %, 11.8 % and 6.3 % respectively. Because fentanyl is widely available and inexpensive, it is now distributed across the globe and mail-order sales have spiked, especially through web platforms, the new frontier for law enforcement. Fentanyl is mainly produced using chemical precursors from China and is sold by Chinese middlemen who are part of covert, global, money-laundering networks.
In the light of the above:
- 1.What will the Commission do to guarantee appropriate sanctions for web platforms that are used by fentanyl distributors, with a view to tackling online fentanyl sales and preventing this market from growing further?
- 2.How will the Commission step up cooperation with third countries, particularly those where fentanyl is produced and distributed, with a view to dismantling these networks and halting production at the source?
- 3.What preventive initiatives and support networks for victims and family members will the Commission implement to mitigate the devastating impact this drug is having on European citizens?
Submitted: 18.10.2023