Conor Stewart
Research expert covering health & pharmaceuticals in the UK & Europe
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In 2019, there were 252 drug overdose deaths were recorded in the Netherlands. The number of casualties was lowest in 2010 and peaked in 2017. 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 2018 were caused by opiates. Of the total 224 casualties in 2017, 104 died because of opiate use. By comparison, there were 40 cocaine deaths that year. This is also the second 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 2018 this had grown to over five percent. 0.7 percent of survey participants answered 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 2018 were caused by opiates. Of the total 224 casualties in 2017, 104 died because of opiate use. By comparison, there were 40 cocaine deaths that year. This is also the second 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 2018 this had grown to over five percent. 0.7 percent of survey participants answered to have used cocaine in the past month, a slight change in comparison to earlier years as well.
