A growing crisis in the world’s happiest country: Young lives lost to drug-induced deaths
DrugsInari Viskari, Sanna Kailanto, Pirkko Kriikku, THL Published 29 Jan 2025
Statistics from 2023 reveal a pressing issue: drug overdose deaths have reached the highest level in recorded history. A total of 310 lives were lost to drug overdoses, and 91 of these individuals were under the age of twenty-five. This alarming trend has made drug overdoses the leading cause of accidental death among young people in Finland, a country consistently ranked as the happiest in the world for several years. In this article Inari Viskari, Sanna Kailanto and Pirkko Kriikku explore the mechanisms behind this troubling phenomenon.
Finland’s rising drug-related deaths have gained international attention. In March 2023, Euronews highlighted the issue with the headline “Why are so many young Finns dying from drug abuse?“. The article examined the alarming trend, questioning why Finland is witnessing a record number of drug-related deaths among youth. The subject then gained more international attention when the news agency AFP recently reported on Finland’s dire situation, stating that Finland is facing a spiraling drug problem, with young Finns particularly affected.
The question on why this is happening is entirely justified. Finland’s drug-related death rates among young people are particularly alarming compared to the rest of Europe. While the average age of drug-related deaths in Europe is around forty-three, in Finland, it is approximately ten years younger. Based on the 2023 statistics, Finland will likely remain in the headlines for unfortunate reasons also in the coming years.
Deadly combinations: how substance interactions, not dosage size, lead to fatalities
In Finland, most drug-related deaths result from unintentional poly-drug poisoning, where death occurs due to the simultaneous or sequential use of multiple substances. A life-threatening overdose often happens hours after the drugs have been consumed, typically during sleep.
The real danger doesn’t lie in consuming large quantities of a single substance but rather in combining several different substances – especially those with similar effects on the body, such as central nervous system depression. Even small amounts of each substance can produce a fatal effect when taken together.
Many young people may have inaccurate or inadequate information about the dangers of using multiple substances simultaneously. They might think,
“I only took a little, and honestly, it didn’t feel like anything at all, so surely I can dose a bit more; it can’t be dangerous…”
This misconception arises because the effects of substances can take time to manifest, making it difficult for individuals to recognize the growing risks.
Unintentional fatalities commonly occur when prescription drugs, such as opioids and benzodiazepines, are misused for intoxication purposes, sometimes in combination with alcohol, either simultaneously or within the same day. These drugs are often obtained illegally, and using prescription drugs without proper medical supervision poses a significant life-threatening risk.
More information is needed about the risks related to the misuse of prescription drugs
Raising awareness among young people, their families, and professionals working with youth is crucial to addressing the risks of substance use. A large group of young people lack adequate information about the dangers of combining, or sequentially using different substances. Additionally, the misuse of prescription drugs can create a false sense of security, encouraging harmful practices to persist.
In Finland, there is an urgent need for campaigns and educational initiatives focused on the risks of misuse of prescription drugs. This information should be communicated clearly, neutrally, and without judgment.
Global examples of successful campaigns aimed at preventing drug-related deaths can provide valuable insights and be adapted to Finland’s context. Be smart, be safe!
The article is written by
Inari Viskari, senior planning officer
Sanna Kailanto, senior specialist and
Pirkko Kriikku, forensic toxicologist, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL.
on the request of PopNAD