"Last year recorded a significant surge in drug-related fatalities, amounting to 2,137 deaths."
In a concerning trend, drug-related deaths in Germany have been on the rise, with a significant increase among individuals under the age of 30. According to the latest data, 2,137 people lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2022, marking a doubling of the number over the past 10-12 years.
Professor Axel Streeck, a prominent figure and CDU member in the German Bundestag, has expressed concern over the growing issue. He attributes the rise in deaths to the increasing risk-taking of young people, with more ordering substances online, in the darknet, or via Telegram.
Synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes, have emerged as a major contributor to the rise in drug-related deaths. These substances, often used as additives, are potent and implicated in many fatal overdoses, particularly when combined with other drugs. The data indicate that synthetic opioids exacerbate risks in polydrug use scenarios, significantly elevating the likelihood of overdose deaths.
Amphetamines, previously leading in medical interventions related to drug use, have seen their incidence stabilize, although they remain a concern. Cannabis, the most widely used drug in Germany and Europe, has a lower direct link to fatal overdose compared to opioids and stimulants. Cocaine and heroin, with their high street values, remain prevalent drugs, often involved in polydrug use with opioids, thereby increasing death risk.
In summary, synthetic opioids are a key factor in the increased overdose deaths, especially in mixed use cases. Amphetamines, while significant, have been surpassed by synthetic opioid-related issues. Cocaine, cannabis, and MDMA also play a role, but their connection to overdose deaths is less direct compared to opioids and stimulants.
The growing impact of synthetic opioids has led to a sharp increase in deaths related to these substances. In 2023, there were 2,227 drug-related deaths nationwide, which is twice as many as ten years ago and the highest number recorded so far.
Streeck advocates for a systematic, comprehensive monitoring and warning system to quickly recognize which substances are circulating on the market and how doctors and social services can best help. However, only a minority of deaths receive a toxicological expert opinion, highlighting the need for improved resources and protocols.
The rise in synthetic opioids has also led to social issues, with crack consumers often becoming homeless and consuming in public spaces. Security authorities in Germany are waging war on the cocaine flood from South America, but the issue of synthetic opioids remains a significant cause for concern.
Experts believe there is a high dark figure due to gaps in toxicological examinations and autopsies, indicating that the true extent of the problem may be even greater than the reported numbers suggest. As the fight against drug-related deaths continues, the focus on synthetic opioids and their role in the rising death toll is paramount.
- The increasing use of synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes, in substance abuse, particularly among young people, has been linked to a rise in drug-related deaths in Germany, as reported by general news sources.
- Beyond the concern of overall drug-related deaths, mental health professionals are also addressing the psychological impact of substance abuse, including that of synthetic opioids, as part of the health-and-wellness and mental-health discourse.
- Given the significant role of synthetic opioids in drug-related crimes and the resulting health issues, the crime-and-justice division and social services are collaborating with experts to improve resource allocation and protocol, ensuring that toxicological examinations and autopsies are conducted for a higher percentage of cases.
