Opioid-related deaths fuel overall increase

Heroin or its metabolites, often in combination with other substances, are present in the majority of fatal overdoses reported in Europe. The most recent data show an increase in the number of heroin-related deaths in Europe, notably in the United Kingdom. In England and Wales, heroin or morphine was mentioned in 1 200 deaths registered in 2015, representing a 26 % increase on the previous year and a 57 % increase in relation to 2013. Deaths related to heroin also increased in Scotland (United Kingdom), Ireland and Turkey. Other opioids are also regularly found in toxicological reports. These substances, primarily methadone and buprenorphine, but also fentanyls and tramadol, are associated with a substantial share of overdose deaths in some countries. According to the most recent data, the number of recorded methadone-related deaths exceeded heroin-related deaths in Croatia, Denmark, France and Ireland.

Drug-induced deaths

Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA and cathinones are implicated in a smaller number of overdose deaths in Europe, although their significance varies by country. In the United Kingdom (England and Wales), deaths involving cocaine increased from 169 in 2013 to 320 in 2015, although many of these are thought to be heroin overdoses among people who also used crack. In Spain, where cocaine-related deaths have been stable for some years, the drug continued to be the second most often cited illicit drug in overdose deaths in 2014 (269 cases). In 2015, stimulant-related deaths in Turkey included 56 cases associated with cocaine, 206 cases with amphetamines and 166 cases with MDMA (62 of which were attributed to use of MDMA alone). Synthetic cannabinoids were reported in 137 cases in Turkey, 63 of which were attributed solely to the use of these drugs.