Drug-Related Deaths Among Young Germans Rise Sharply, Authorities Report
Four out of five deaths involved multiple substances, and officials said 528 victims were under 30, nearly 53% more than in 2021.
- Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck announced Tuesday that 2,150 people died from drug use in Germany last year, a figure remaining just below the 2023 record of 2,227 deaths.
- Among those under 30, drug-related fatalities rose nearly 53% since 2021, with 528 deaths in 2025. Streeck cited psychological stress and curiosity as drivers, noting 81.5% of deaths involved mixing substances.
- Crack and cocaine-related deaths surged 110.7% since 2021, while 118 fentanyl-related deaths were reported. Streeck noted, "Drugs, counterfeit medications, and high-risk mixtures are often just a few clicks away these days."
- At Berlin's Patrida clinic, director Thomas Peschel struggles to meet demand, warning the system is "severely underfunded." Peschel stated, "There aren't enough doctors" to provide necessary care.
- Authorities are implementing a comprehensive monitoring system to identify circulating substances and enhance prevention services, while conducting joint research with France on substitution treatments for cocaine and crack addiction.
23 Articles
23 Articles
In Germany, drug use is downgraded, and the sharp rise in drug deaths is the price for it.
The Federal Government's Drug Commissioner, Streeck, presented the drug report in 2025. According to this, 2,150 men and women died as a result of their consumption. Streeck demands a better system of assistance.
The Federal Government's Drug Commissioner, Streeck, warns against savings in addiction aid in view of the increasing numbers of drug victims.
They are often young, risk-taking - and pay for it with their lives: More and more young people in Germany become victims of synthetic drugs. Others have a long way to go with addiction. For 2,150 people in Germany, the use of drugs had fatal consequences last year - one in four drug deaths is younger than 30. The drug officer Hendrik Streeck spoke of a death rate at a record level. In 2024 there had been 2,137 drug deaths. "I am particularly sh…
In 2025, 2150 people died from drugs in Germany, one in four under 30 years of age. Mixed use and synthetic opioids increase the risk. Figures show a significant increase in young people.
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