This page provides answers to the questions most often asked about drug overdose deaths in Europe. Also known as ‘drug-related deaths’ or more specifically ‘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 27 Member States of the European Union and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) affiliates Norway and Türkiye. It draws on contributions from specialists from these countries, as well as on information provided by the countries in an annual reporting exercise.

Opioids, often heroin, were involved in three quarters of the drug-induced deaths reported in Europe, although this is not true for all countries. Opioids used in agonist 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. There were 163 fatal overdoses with the drug involved in 2022, and Germany reported 73 of these. Some of these fatalities might be associated with diverted medicine rather than with illicit fentanyl. Fentanyl deaths might also be underestimated in some countries. Deaths related to stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines have been reported in recent years in several countries. Most drug-induced deaths involve polydrug use.