This page provides answers to the questions most often asked about drug overdose deaths in Europe. Also known as drug-induced deaths, they are deaths directly attributable to the use of illicit drugs. The information presented here is based on the latest data from the Member States of the European Union (1) and the EMCDDA affiliates Norway and Turkey. It draws on contributions from specialists from these countries, as well as on information provided by European countries in the annual reporting exercise to the agency.

The latest European Drug Report (EMCDDA, 2023) estimated that over 6100 deaths involving one or more illicit drugs were reported in 2021 in the European Union. This estimate rises to more than 6 600 deaths when Norway and Turkey are included. Men accounted for three quarters of drug-induced deaths. All of these deaths were premature, predominantly affecting people in their thirties and forties.

Opioids, often heroin, were involved in more than three quarters of the drug-induced deaths reported in Europe, although this is not true for all countries. Opioids used in substitution treatment can also be found in post mortem analyses in some countries. Deaths related to medications, such as oxycodone and tramadol, are also reported. Deaths associated with fentanyl and its analogues are rarely reported and might be underestimated in some countries. Deaths related to stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines have been reported in recent years in several countries. Most deaths involve polydrug use...