{"id":3418,"date":"2023-09-15T13:41:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T11:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/2023\/09\/15\/newsletter-heroin\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T08:48:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T06:48:51","slug":"heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/","title":{"rendered":"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most popular opioid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mgq7ds1t-fad12e0a64d9c4659ae2420db7200379\">\n.avia-image-container.av-mgq7ds1t-fad12e0a64d9c4659ae2420db7200379 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-mgq7ds1t-fad12e0a64d9c4659ae2420db7200379 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-mgq7ds1t-fad12e0a64d9c4659ae2420db7200379 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-3422 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-3422 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_h.jpg\" alt='Heroin Konsum mit L\u00f6ffel und Spritze' title=''  height=\"500\" width=\"1500\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_h.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_h-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_h-1030x343.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_h-768x256.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_h-705x235.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mgq7fh2r-2dabd2728094cb573d239c4859b9edaa\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-mgq7fh2r-2dabd2728094cb573d239c4859b9edaa{\nheight:25px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-mgq7fh2r-2dabd2728094cb573d239c4859b9edaa hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mluoo115-fad2ea425bb9f7e6a9564f11d3ffa5c8 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h1 class=\"entry-title\">Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most popular opioid<\/h1>\n<h2>New challenges<\/h2>\n<p><strong>In Europe, heroin is still responsible for the majority of opioid-related deaths and remains the most commonly consumed illegal opioid. However, the structures and challenges associated with the heroin scene have changed.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For many people, heroin addiction calls to mind the image of dishevelled, emaciated junkies. And these are certainly still to be found. However, the heroin scene has evolved and there are now many heroin addicts who do not fit this stereotype.<\/p>\n<p>The number of young people starting to abuse the drug is in decline. Today, many heroin users belong to the older generation, many of whom lead normal everyday lives while hiding a secret dependency. As a result, medical and social services need to be geared towards users who have age-related health problems in addition to suffering the ill effects of drug abuse. These addicts are also more difficult to detect in screening tests. Increasing numbers of specialised rehabilitation clinics are being established for this target group, offering anonymous heroin addiction treatment for managers, celebrities and VIPs.<\/p>\n<p>And it is precisely this group of users who present everyday risks to public safety \u2013 when driving, at work and during their free time. Time and again, drivers who have consumed heroin are found to zig-zag across lanes, be excessively fatigued to the point of apathy, display erratic behaviour including nervousness and restlessness, and exhibit a general slowing down of thinking processes and physical movement.<\/p>\n<p>Because of these symptoms, using heroin also presents a hazard in the workplace and socially. Increasing numbers of users are suff ering broken bones due to falling while under the influence. And the same problems are caused by the severe withdrawal symptoms, which can begin just 6 to 8 hours after last use.<\/p>\n<p>Heroin causes physical harm in the form of permanent damage to the brain and liver, as well as gastrointestinal disorders. Injecting the drug with dirty needles poses a constant risk of developing abscesses and of contracting hepatitis or AIDS. Most deaths are caused by respiratory paralysis as a result of an overdose.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-g82jd-83b065b6d70837985c8485fa31cc1e56 hr-default  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mgq70hbs-9dc47e015acf20dba1cff76c9d11c83e '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Heroin \u2013 what exactly is it?<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-3419\" src=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Schlafmohn_3x2.jpeg\" alt=\"Drei gr\u00fcne Schlafmohnpflanzen\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>Heroin belongs to the family of drugs known as opioids and is semi-synthetically produced from raw opium. Raw opium is the milky sap of the opium poppy. This sap contains morphine, which is chemically processed into heroin. Opioids differ from opiates in the way they are made. Opiates are harvested from the milky sap of the opium poppy, while opioids are (semi-)synthetically produced. Heroin crosses the blood-brain barrier quickly and takes effect within a matter of minutes. It produces states of euphoria and relaxation and suppresses negative feelings, pain and anxiety. Heroin is one of the most addictive drugs in existence. Its side effects and withdrawal symptoms range from a runny nose to death. In the body, heroin is rapidly converted into the opiate morphine, which is reliably detected with DrugWipe&nbsp;5&nbsp;S and 6&nbsp;S saliva tests.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-706uji-92a00cea7595f59b91ee297cade5e38c hr-default  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mmdfuypw-0b36863cb781e298052cd9bbc0114e65 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Heroin worldwide<\/h3>\n<p>Heroin is the most common illegal opioid in Europe, followed by fentanyl. In the United States, fentanyl overtook heroin in popularity a number of years ago. Heroin is the fifth most popular drug in Africa and is also very much in demand in the South Sea Islands. Meanwhile, the number of heroin users in Asia is relatively small. However, consumption is probably higher in countries where the drug is produced. In Afghanistan, the Taliban is currently clamping down on the cultivation, sale and consumption of heroin and, as a result, it is predicted that production will be displaced to other regions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-386cl7-a9287e056040003331888707958af5c7 hr-default  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mmnh6uad-fe5913e96d06db491339a580232c2985 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Types of heroin consumption<\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_10188\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10188\" class=\"wp-image-10188 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin_Folienrauchen_n_3x2.jpeg\" alt=\"Drogens\u00fcchtiger erhitzt Heroin auf Aluminium und atmet den Dampf mit Hilfe eines Strohhalms ein\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10188\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>\u201cChasing the dragon\u201d (foil smoking) refers to a form of heroin consumption that involves inhaling the vapours produced when the drug is heated on aluminium foil over a flame, often with the assistance of a tube such as a drinking straw.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Depending on its place of origin, heroin is sold as a brown (Afghanistan, Southwest Asia) or white (Southeast Asia) powder. Dealers generally \u201ccut\u201d (i.e., dilute) heroin with a wide range of substances \u2013 from baking powder to rat poison&nbsp;\u2013 in various quantities. The drug is injected or, increasingly, inhaled \u2013 in particular using the \u201cchasing the dragon\u201d method (see image). It can also be snorted like cocaine or taken orally. However, this last form of consumption is very rare and usually only occurs in a controlled manner under medical supervision. All other methods produce an almost instant rush. If injected into the veins or snorted, the dose cannot be controlled and the user is at risk of an overdose. If the foil smoking method is used, the user can supposedly control the dose and there is no shared injecting or inhaling paraphernalia that can spread infections. Users who \u201cchase the dragon\u201d also don\u2019t have any visible injection sites on their skin or easily identifi able damage to the mucous membranes in their noses. According to the EMCDDA, only 30% of heroin users still inject the drug. 51% \u201csmoke\u201d or inhale it&nbsp;\u2013 according to many experts, this is as a result of safer-use campaigns.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-2umzkh-6208cf1fc0ff026d8d7de058a97c8a4f hr-default  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mluumlgt-9530ffa69f7c605ae7f96c9e74c3b5c0 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-723 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/s503g-frei-300x68.png\" alt=\"Drogenschnelltest DrugWipe S 503 G\" width=\"300\" height=\"68\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/s503g-frei-300x68.png 300w, https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/s503g-frei-768x175.png 768w, https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/s503g-frei-705x161.png 705w, https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/s503g-frei.png 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Reliable heroin detection with the DrugWipe rapid screening test \u2013<br \/>\njust ask, we\u2019re always happy to help<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-mluuwmob-d3d55988080da931f1789212f54881a8\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-mluuwmob-d3d55988080da931f1789212f54881a8{\nheight:50px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-mluuwmob-d3d55988080da931f1789212f54881a8 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mmakas22-e4fdef32b6557414c1141bd1d99e807b '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<p style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Sources:<br \/>\nEMCDDA European Monitoring Centre for Drug an Drug Addiction, Lissabon; Wikipedia, <a href=\"https:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heroin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wikipedia.org<\/a>; Bundeszentrale f\u00fcr gesundheitliche Aufkl\u00e4rung (BZgA), K\u00f6ln, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.drugcom.de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.drugcom.de<\/a>; Deutscher Verkehrsicherheitsrat e.V., Berlin, <a href=\"https:\/\/drogen.dvr.de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">drogen.dvr.de<\/a>; BADS Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Stra\u00dfenverkehr e.V., Hamburg, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bads.de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.bads.de<\/a>; DHS Deutsche Hauptstelle f\u00fcr Suchtfragen e.V., Hamm, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dhs.de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.dhs.de<\/a>; Sucht Schweiz, CH-Lausanne, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.suchtschweiz.ch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.suchtschweiz.ch<\/a>; Statista GmbH, Hamburg, <a href=\"https:\/\/de.statista.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">de.statista.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Image sources:<br \/>\nSecuretec Detektions-Systeme AG; Adobe Stock 111025234, 604849015, 359657379<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-20kcv3-fb1157b8f4b4ac8bee1de96942828add\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-20kcv3-fb1157b8f4b4ac8bee1de96942828add{\nheight:50px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-20kcv3-fb1157b8f4b4ac8bee1de96942828add hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mluuqu8f-4c6bf32995833a88b8b63b59e3d3c18c '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\"><div class='w3eden'><!-- WPDM Link Template: Default Template -->\n\n<div class=\"link-template-default card mb-2\">\n    <div class=\"card-body\">\n        <div class=\"media\">\n            <div class=\"mr-3 img-48\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wpdm_icon\" alt=\"Icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/plugins\/download-manager\/assets\/file-type-icons\/pdf.svg\" \/><\/div>\n            <div class=\"media-body\">\n                <h3 class=\"package-title\"><a href='https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/download\/securetec-newsletter-heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-and-most-used-illegal-opioid\/'>Securetec Newsletter Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most popular and most used illegal opioid<\/a><\/h3>\n                <div class=\"text-muted text-small\"><i class=\"fas fa-copy\"><\/i> 1 file(s) <i class=\"fas fa-hdd ml-3\"><\/i> 1.02 MB<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ml-3\">\n                <a class='wpdm-download-link download-on-click btn btn-primary ' rel='nofollow' href='#' data-downloadurl=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/download\/securetec-newsletter-heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-and-most-used-illegal-opioid\/?wpdmdl=3355&refresh=6ac5174288be71791301442\">Download<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most popular and most used illegal opioid, responsible for most opioid-related deaths. Yet the heroin scene has changed: new structures, hidden users, and shifting challenges reshape how addiction appears and is addressed today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3420,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Newsletter: Heroin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most used illegal opioid and a major cause of related deaths, though the scene and its challenges have evolved.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Newsletter: Heroin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most used illegal opioid and a major cause of related deaths, though the scene and its challenges have evolved.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-09-15T11:41:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-16T06:48:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"300\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Monika K\u00f6nig\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@DrugWipeUK\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@DrugWipeUK\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Monika K\u00f6nig\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Monika K\u00f6nig\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/4137ed7f181d6c6ca24835f6fe99ca8e\"},\"headline\":\"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most popular opioid\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-15T11:41:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-16T06:48:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2424,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/\",\"name\":\"Newsletter: Heroin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-09-15T11:41:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-16T06:48:51+00:00\",\"description\":\"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most used illegal opioid and a major cause of related deaths, though the scene and its challenges have evolved.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg\",\"width\":300,\"height\":200,\"caption\":\"Heroin Konsum mit L\u00f6ffel und Spritze\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/15\\\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Start\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/en\\\/home\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most popular opioid\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/\",\"name\":\"Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG\",\"description\":\"We detect to protect\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/logo-securetec-de.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/logo-securetec-de.png\",\"width\":1250,\"height\":750,\"caption\":\"Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/DrugWipeUK\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCP9jQA-TYhtqanhaooppMqw\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/securetec\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.xing.com\\\/pages\\\/securetecag\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/drugwipe\\\/?hl=de\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.securetec.net\\\/de\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/4137ed7f181d6c6ca24835f6fe99ca8e\",\"name\":\"Monika K\u00f6nig\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Newsletter: Heroin","description":"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most used illegal opioid and a major cause of related deaths, though the scene and its challenges have evolved.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Newsletter: Heroin","og_description":"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most used illegal opioid and a major cause of related deaths, though the scene and its challenges have evolved.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/","og_site_name":"Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG","article_published_time":"2023-09-15T11:41:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-16T06:48:51+00:00","og_image":[{"width":300,"height":200,"url":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Monika K\u00f6nig","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@DrugWipeUK","twitter_site":"@DrugWipeUK","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Monika K\u00f6nig","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/"},"author":{"name":"Monika K\u00f6nig","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#\/schema\/person\/4137ed7f181d6c6ca24835f6fe99ca8e"},"headline":"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most popular opioid","datePublished":"2023-09-15T11:41:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-16T06:48:51+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/"},"wordCount":2424,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/","url":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/","name":"Newsletter: Heroin","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg","datePublished":"2023-09-15T11:41:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-16T06:48:51+00:00","description":"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most used illegal opioid and a major cause of related deaths, though the scene and its challenges have evolved.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Heroin-Konsum_b.jpg","width":300,"height":200,"caption":"Heroin Konsum mit L\u00f6ffel und Spritze"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/2023\/09\/15\/heroin-remains-europes-most-popular-opioid\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Start","item":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/home\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Heroin remains Europe\u2019s most popular opioid"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/","name":"Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG","description":"We detect to protect","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#organization","name":"Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG","url":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/logo-securetec-de.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/logo-securetec-de.png","width":1250,"height":750,"caption":"Securetec Detektions-Systeme AG"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/DrugWipeUK","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCP9jQA-TYhtqanhaooppMqw","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/securetec\/","https:\/\/www.xing.com\/pages\/securetecag","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/drugwipe\/?hl=de"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/de\/#\/schema\/person\/4137ed7f181d6c6ca24835f6fe99ca8e","name":"Monika K\u00f6nig"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3418"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10204,"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3418\/revisions\/10204"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.securetec.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}