Most drug-related deaths
are preventable

The number of drug-related deaths is increasing in Finland. In 2024, 247 people died due to drugs in Finland, and more and more people are dying from causes that are entirely preventable. Timely support, easily accessible services, and effective cooperation can save lives – but this requires a shared commitment and concrete action.

Learn more about what we can do to change the situation

Low-threshold services and access to treatment reduce deaths

The most important measure to prevent drug-related deaths is to ensure the availability of low-threshold substance use and addiction services across the country. At present, around half of the wellbeing services counties provide outreach and street-level work aimed at supporting people who use drugs. Rapidly accessible, high-quality social and health care services, together with cooperation with communities, are an absolute prerequisite for reducing drug-related deaths and other harms caused by drug use.

Health counselling reaches high-risk groups

Health counselling services are a statutory harm reduction activity of the wellbeing services counties. Through this work, it is possible to reach people who inject drugs and to prevent harms, diseases and deaths related to drug use.