Conor Stewart
Research expert covering health & pharmaceuticals in the UK & Europe
Get in touch with us nowTotal number of drug deaths in the Netherlands 2006-2020
In 2020, there were 295 drug overdose deaths were recorded in the Netherlands. The number of casualties was lowest in 2010, while 2020 represented the highest annual figure. In three out of the last five years, a new record in drug deaths was reached, with 2018 showing a slight decrease in deaths.
Opiates, cocaine and other dangerous drugs
Many drug deaths in the Netherlands in 2020 were caused by opiates. Of the total 295 casualties in 2020, 164 died because of opiate use. By comparison, there were 61 cocaine deaths that year. This is also the highest number of cocaine-related deaths in the country in the past decade.
Cocaine use on the rise
According to the Trimbos survey on drug use, cocaine use has increased in the Netherlands. Whereas in 1997, 2.6 percent of the respondents stated to have used cocaine at least once in their lives, by 2020 this had grown to almost 5.5 percent. Of the survey participants 0.5 percent reported to have used cocaine in the past month, a slight change in comparison to earlier years as well.
Opiates, cocaine and other dangerous drugs
Many drug deaths in the Netherlands in 2020 were caused by opiates. Of the total 295 casualties in 2020, 164 died because of opiate use. By comparison, there were 61 cocaine deaths that year. This is also the highest number of cocaine-related deaths in the country in the past decade.
Cocaine use on the rise
According to the Trimbos survey on drug use, cocaine use has increased in the Netherlands. Whereas in 1997, 2.6 percent of the respondents stated to have used cocaine at least once in their lives, by 2020 this had grown to almost 5.5 percent. Of the survey participants 0.5 percent reported to have used cocaine in the past month, a slight change in comparison to earlier years as well.
