Berlin – Germany has recorded its highest-ever number of drug-related deaths, according to official data released Tuesday. The figures show a concerning rise in fatalities, especially among young people.
Hendrik Streeck, the German government’s commissioner for drug issues, said 2,150 people died last year due to drug use. This is up from 2,137 deaths in 2024.
The data revealed that deaths among people under 30 have increased by more than 50 percent since 2021. The number of deaths among those under 20 has nearly doubled.
Streeck emphasized the troubling trend of younger victims. He noted that one in four drug-related deaths now involves someone under the age of 30. He called for action beyond expressing concern. This includes strengthening prevention programs, providing early support, and developing outreach systems to help people before it is too late.
Streeck warned against cutting addiction treatment services amid growing pressure on federal and local budgets. He stressed that Germany has an effective support system for people living with addiction but said it must be maintained and strengthened, not scaled back.
According to the statistics, opioids and their derivatives were linked to the most deaths, with 1,316 cases. Cocaine and crack accounted for 769 deaths, heroin and morphine for 708, psychoactive medications for 696, and opioid substitutes like methadone for 611. Amphetamines were involved in 602 deaths.
This rise comes as several European countries face growing challenges from the spread of synthetic drugs and opioids. There are increasing calls to update health policies, expand harm reduction programs, and support the most vulnerable groups.