Germany records 2,150 drug deaths in 2025, one‑quarter under 30

In 2025 Germany registered 2,150 drug‑related deaths, a record level. About a quarter of the fatalities involved people under 30, and deaths among those under 20 have almost doubled since 2021. Since 2021, the number of drug deaths for the under‑30 age group has risen by more than 50 percent.

The Federal Drug Commissioner, Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck, said the surge is driven by hazardous polydrug use, especially the mixing of prescription medicines such as benzodiazepines and opioid painkillers with alcohol and illicit substances. Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and nitazene‑containing tablets, feature prominently; 1,316 deaths involved opioids, while cocaine/crack, heroin/morphine, psychoactive medications, methadone and amphetamines also contributed.

Streeck called for stronger prevention, earlier intervention, and expanded treatment capacity, stressing the need for more withdrawal and therapy places and family support. The health‑sector response proposed includes a five‑point harm‑reduction plan: municipal early‑warning systems, nationwide drug‑checking services, more supervised consumption rooms, wider low‑threshold access to the opioid antidote naloxone, and expanded substitution therapy. He warned that the current funding situation risks limiting the effectiveness of Germany’s addiction‑help system.