 Today, the EMCDDA launches its European Drug Report 2023. As Chair of the EMCDDA Management Board, I welcome this annual publication, which is an essential resource for gaining strategic insight into the European drug situation and its implications for public health and security. Based on data from 29 countries – the U27, Turkey and Norway – the report delivers the latest overview of the drug situation in Europe up to 2023, exploring long-term trends and emerging threats, echoing the use-balanced approach to drugs the report explains drugs use and supply with additional analysis on drug-related harms and treatment. I am delighted that this flagship publication now follows the EMCDDA's digital first approach to delivering products and services, an approach which is an integral part of its new business model initiative. This year, the report offers innovative ways for audiences to explore and interact with the content, access underlying data and visualizes trends both at European and national level. The launch of the European Drug Report 2023 comes at a very special moment as the EMCDDA prepares for a new mandate and a new future. The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union are expected to adopt a new regulation for the European Union's drug agency either in the coming weeks. We look forward to the implementation of this promising new mission, enhancing our partnerships, promoting co-production and pursuing stakeholder engagement will be crucial to our work as we expand our monitoring, boost EU preparedness and help development competence for better interventions in the drugs field. I am confident that this will increase the agency's added value in helping European and national policy makers and professionals in the drugs field to tackle the causes and consequences of drug use. On behalf of the Management Board, I can affirm that the EU Member States fully support these developments and welcome the entry into the application of the new regulation in mid-2024. Finally, I would like to convey my special thanks to the EMCDDA Director and to all to his staff for his high-quality new look report. My thanks also go to the National Focus Points, to the EMCDDA Scientific Committee and to all national, European and international partners who contributed to this analysis. Thank you for your attention.