New synthetic opioids drive up death toll in the Baltic states
A fresh EU drugs agency report highlights that nitazenes and other potent opioids circulating in Estonia and neighbouring countries are causing an increasing number of poisoning incidents and deaths.
New synthetic opioids drive up death toll in the Baltic states
The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) has released its latest annual overview, which focuses on the drugs situation across Europe. The document draws attention to a dangerous trend: in Estonia and other Baltic Sea region countries, nitazenes and other powerful laboratory-manufactured opioids are causing an increasing number of poisonings and resulting in deaths.
The report is based on data from 29 countries, including all EU member states as well as Norway and Turkey. According to Katri Abel-Ollo, a specialist at the Health Development Institute, recent years have seen a notable rise in the number of people seeking help due to cocaine use. There is also growing concern about the consequences of ketamine abuse – prolonged and intensive use can lead to chronic bladder problems.
The drugs market is becoming increasingly complex. New psychoactive substances are appearing on the market at an ever-faster pace. Criminal groups are adapting their activities to the situation – they are using alternative smuggling routes, smaller ports and more sophisticated hiding solutions. There has also been an increase in the availability of cannabis, cocaine and ketamine products and their potency, which has led to a greater number of health problems and emergency call-outs.
According to the EUDA, successful countermeasures require strong prevention systems, treatment options and harm reduction programmes. This also requires sustained funding in the field of public health and security.
Source: Postimees
Source: Google News EE — Crime (et)