Drug deaths among young people in Germany rise sharply

BERLIN: Drug-related deaths among young people in Germany increased sharply in 2025, according to figures cited by the BILD newspaper from the Federal Criminal Police Office.

528 people under the age of 30 died after using illegal drugs such as heroin or crack last year. That was almost 53% higher than in 2021. Among those under 20, the rise was steeper, with 106 deaths recorded in 2025 compared with 54 in 2021, indicating that the number had nearly doubled.

Overall, 2,150 people died in Germany last year as a result of consuming dangerous illegal drugs. Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck reacted to the figures by warning that the scale of the problem was being normalised despite the mounting toll.

Speaking to BILD, Streeck said: "2,150 drug-related deaths—and Germany is once again looking at the number with concern until it’s forgotten the day after tomorrow. I find it alarming how much we’ve grown accustomed to this."

He added that nearly one in four drug-related deaths now involved people under 30, while the figure for those under 20 had almost doubled since 2021. Streeck also said four out of five victims died after consuming multiple substances, including combinations of prescription medicines, alcohol and illegal drugs, without realising the potentially fatal consequences. He called for more prevention, earlier intervention and a support system that could reach people in time.