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 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.

The latest European Drug Report (EUDA, 2026) estimated that around 7,600 deaths involving one or more illicit drugs were reported in 2024 in the European Union. This estimate rises to over 8,300 deaths when Norway and Türkiye are included. Men accounted for 4 out of every 5 drug-induced deaths. It should be noted that the data for 2024 are provisional due to reporting delays, and are an underestimate, due to limitations in reporting capacity apparent in some countries. All these deaths were premature, predominantly affecting people in their thirties and forties, representing decades of life lost. Opioids, often heroin, were involved in two thirds of the drug-induced deaths reported in Europe, although this is not true for all countries. Medicines used in opioid agonist treatment (e.g. methadone) can also be found in post-mortem analyses in some countries. Deaths related to opioid medications such as oxycodone and tramadol are also reported.....