What are the emerging concerns and threats in relation to overdose deaths? Where have the numbers of drug-induced deaths increased over the last 10 years? How can these deaths be prevented? These are among the questions explored in the EUDA’s ‘Frequently asked questions (FAQs): drug overdose deaths in Europe’, published today ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day (31 August).
Across Europe, overdose is a leading cause of avoidable death among people who use drugs. The European Drug Report 2024 describes how some 6 400 deaths, were reported in the European Union in 2022, with the estimate rising to around 7 000 deaths when Turkey and Norway are included. Men account for four out of every five of these deaths. Most fatalities occur among people in their late thirties and early forties, although much younger people are also affected. The age and gender of the cases vary across countries, reflecting the diversity of the populations at high risk of drug-related deaths.
Opioids (mainly heroin), usually in combination with other substances, remain the group of substances most commonly implicated in drug-induced deaths. Many countries see particularly high rates, with more than 80% of overdose deaths linked to opioids (see map). Opioids other than heroin, including methadone and, to a lesser extent, buprenorphine, as well as pain-relief medicines containing opioids and other synthetic opioids, are associated with a substantial share of overdose deaths in some countries.
Three key issues are underscored in today's update:
- recent outbreaks of deaths linked to highly potent synthetic opioids (mainly nitazenes), notably in Estonia and Latvia (where these substances were identified in around a half and a third of the drug-induced deaths respectively);
- deaths associated with the co-use of drugs and medicines (with benzodiazepines detected in a large proportion of cases in some countries); and
- the high and increasing proportion of drug-induced deaths involving cocaine in some countries in the context of polysubstance use (mostly involving opioids).
The FAQs highlight risk factors associated with overdose deaths, such as the type of drug used, route of administration, the disruption of treatment provision and reduced opioid tolerance among those recently released from prison. This year, special attention is given to suicidal intent in drug-induced deaths, with a higher proportion reported among women than men. These findings highlight the need for more targeted interventions addressing self-harm and suicidal behaviour among people who use drugs, particularly women.
In the section on preventing overdose deaths, the current state of implementation of services and responses in Europe (in community and prison settings) is presented. Also featured are recent best practice guidelines in hospital settings and insights gained from a recent investigation of the circumstances around the deaths of young people under 25 in Finland.
In this resource, new trends and developments are illustrated through a range of maps and graphics with a gender and age breakdown. Methodologies, references and links to further reading are also included. The digital, modular and accessible format of the FAQs makes it easier to explore and share the data and analysis on drug-related deaths and responses.
Addressing drug-related harm and reducing drug-related deaths are priorities enshrined in the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan 2021–25. This commitment is central to the work of the EUDA.
