2. To what extent can drug violence indicators tell us something about underlying drug market activity?

Drugs and violence can be linked in various ways: directly as a result of ingestion, or indirectly: in the context of crimes committed to sustaining drug use. Much drug-related violence in Europe, however, seems to be linked to drugs systemically. Here, violence is being used in drug markets as means of intimidation, control, conflict resolution or revenge. In this presentation, we take a closer look at patterns of drug-related violence in Western Europe.

Taking a data-driven approach, we zoom in on the nature and prevalence of drug-related shootings, use of explosives, and drug-related homicides. 

Using these violent outcomes as indicators of underlying drug market activity may allow us to better understand the scope of these drug markets, the diversity of drug trafficking and distribution channels, and the extent to which drug-related violence has remained resilient over time.