Status: 05/16/2022 1:48 p.m
The number of drug-related deaths in Germany rose by 15.5 percent to 1,826 in 2021 compared to the previous year. According to the drug commissioner, the main cause of death was the consumption of opioids such as heroin and opiates.
The number of drug-related deaths in Germany has risen again. Last year, 1,826 people died from the consumption of illegal drugs, 15.5 percent more than in the previous year, according to the federal government’s drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert. In 2020, 1581 drug deaths were registered.
The number of drug-related deaths has increased for the fourth year in a row. As in previous years, the main cause of death was the consumption of opioids such as heroin and opiates or their consumption in connection with other substances.
195 people died from heroin overdoses
195 people died from a heroin overdose last year, 50 percent more than in the previous year. As a result of opioid substitution drug use, 88 people died – an increase of 167 percent. Substitution therapy is the treatment of opioid-dependent patients with substitute substances.
Amphetamine-related poisoning increased by 149 percent to 92 deaths. Deaths related to methamphetamine, cocaine and crack also increased significantly.
No “keep it up” in drug policy
These numbers are shocking, said the drug commissioner. “It must not be the case that people who are severely addicted are not reached at all and are left alone with their illness and its social consequences,” says Blienert. There can be no “business as usual” in German drug policy.
Help and support, treatment and advice should reach people faster and more directly, said Blienert. He now wants to quickly hold talks with the countries. Since those affected find it difficult to get out of their addiction, help, advice and protection for these people must be permanently and reliably financed. “In view of these tragic numbers, it is obvious that measures that help save lives must be made possible and expanded,” said Blienert.
The drug commissioner said he wanted to counteract poisoning from contaminated or diluted substances with measures such as drug checking, nationwide substitution and drug consumption rooms.