Overdose deaths increased by 16% by 2023 compared to the previous year, totaling 80, today reveals a report, which highlights the increase in these methadone deaths, although cocaine is the most responsible drug.
Overdose deaths increased 16% by 2023 compared to the previous year, totaling 80, reveals a report released on Wednesday, which highlights the increase in these methadone deaths, although cocaine is the most responsible drug.
“Regarding mortality related to drug use, in the records of the In 2023, of the 387 deaths with the presence of illicit substances and death information, 80 (21%) were overdose, “says the latest ICAD report, advancing that by 2023” there was an increase in overdose compared to 2022 ( +16%), with the values of the last three years the highest since 2009 “.
ICAD reports that by 2023 the drugs responsible for the deaths were cocaine (65%), opioids (36%) and methadone (36%), although cocaine is the most prevalent in overdose in the last three years and with an increase continuous since 2017.
Addition of overdoses with the presence of methadone
The same document also notes a “addition of overdoses with the presence of methadone, with the values of the last three years the highest since 2008”.
ICAD’s 2023 report also warns of the increase in the last three years of the experience of drug -related problems, among the 18 -year -olds.
According to ICAD, consumptions among younger people are still more expressive in boys, and there are also some regional differences, as evidenced in the recent consumption of any drug.
The document indicates that Portugal continues to emerge as one of the European countries with the lowest prevalence of cannabis consumptioncocaine and ecstasy, although these are the three most consumed drugs in the country.
According to the report, between 2017 and 2022 there was a “relevant descent of recent and current consumption of any drug, influenced by the decrease in cannabis consumption”, while the use of other substances, “generally stable, remained stable in the total and stable population or with slight climbs ” between the age group from 15 to 34 years.
“Given these descents in cannabis consumption, it would be expected to reduce the prevalence of abusive consumption patterns and dependence on the population. Increasing the high risk among younger ones, and in particular in the 15-24 years, “he says.
More than 24,000 people under treatment in 2023
In 2023 24,246 users were in treatment due to the use of drugs at the public outpatient clinic and for the third consecutive year there was a slight increase (+0.3%) in outpatient treatments, after the descents between 2017 and 2020, and the values are still below the values. Prepandy of .
The study reports that, although less relevant than the climbs in the previous two years, it has slightly increased those who started treatment (+0.7%), with the values of the last two years to be the highest since 2015 and reinforce The trend between 2017 and 2019.
The number of users hospitalized in 2023 due to problems related to drug use increased 19% compared to 2022in disabled units, and 9% in therapeutic communities.
Hashish is the drugseized in the country
According to ICAD, the heroin remains the main drug in users in treatment, But it has been noticed in the last two years a “relevant increase” of consumers to start treatment due to cocaine, reaching by 2023 the highest values of the last decade.
This is the highest number since 2018, although still short of 2017 (year with the highest value since 2001), says report, adding that, as in the previous eight years, GNR was the one who sent the most occurrences to the CDT .
ICAD indicates that the most traditionally seized drugs in the country are hashish, followed by cocaine, heroine, liamba and ecstasy.
The report also states that cannabis remains the illicit drug perceived as of greater accessibility, reflecting the consumption patterns of the population.
