TheTrans-European Drug Information (TEDI) project is a European database compiling information from differentdrug checking services located on theEuropean continent. Thenon-governmental organizations feeding into the database are referred to as the TEDI network.
The first drug checking service in Europe opened in 1986 in Amsterdam, allowingdrug users to analyze the chemical composition of illicit substances that they consume.[1] In the following years, a number ofnonprofit organizations present in various other drug scenes[2] in several countries (including inAustria,France,Germany,the Netherlands,Portugal,Spain, andSwitzerland) set up drug checking services.[3]
In 2011, adatabase was created for to centralize information from these services and allow for the sharing of alerts (for example on new adulterants in illicit substances[4] or circulation ofnovel psychoactive substance[5]) and the monitoring of drug markets across borders.[6]
Between 2008 and 2013, organizations member of the TEDI network analyzed more than 45,000 samples ofrecreational drugs, showing similarities and discrepancies between areas of the European continent in terms of purity, formulation, or prices.[7]
The project and the network are hosted by thePolishnonprofitTEDI Nightlife Empowerment & Well-being Network (also known asNEW net orSaferNightlife).[citation needed]
As of 2022, the TEDI network was integrated by 20 organizations across 13 countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom).[8] A team of professionals from various fields (substance use disorder prevention workers,pharmacists,chemists, etc.) across network member organizations constitutes the TEDI project's team.[6]
The aims of the Trans-European Drug Information project are to collect, monitor and analyze the evolution of the European recreational drug market trends, and to regularly report the findings. Since 2011, the database has facilitated the centralization and comparison of information collected at the local level.[citation needed]
The TEDI database also feeds into theearly warning system of theEuropean Union Drugs Agency (EUDA, formerly EMCDDA). EUDA and the TEDI network also collaborate on the organization of conferences[9] and trainings.[10]
In 2019, themobile application TripApp was launched by a consortium or organizations, sharing in real-time alerts[11] from the TEDI database, in addition to connecting app users with local harm reduction providers.[12] The app received an award from theCouncil of Europe in 2021.[13]
^Trans European Drugs Information (TEDI) workgroup (2011).Factsheet on Drug Checking in Europe(PDF). Brussels: Nightlife, Empowerment & Well-being Implementation Project.
^Zaami, S (2019-11-01). "New psychoactive substances: concerted efforts and common legislative answers for stemming a growing health hazard".European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences.23 (22):9681–9690.doi:10.26355/eurrev_201911_19529.ISSN2284-0729.PMID31799633.S2CID208621146.
