Accidental
drug-related deaths among young people under the age of 25 years must be
preventable – the service system needs to be improved so that substance abuse
services for young people can be provided in tandem with mental health care

The investigation materials mostly consisted of reports of cause-of-death investigations, client and patient files of health and social services providers as well as other official documents. The next of kin of the deceased were also interviewed. The investigation materials were supplemented by means of interviews and consultations as well as requests for documents in order to learn more about the procedures of the authorities involved and the performance of the service system. More than 130 people in total were interviewed over the course of the investigation.

The objective of the 15 case studies was to learn as much as possible about each death and the underlying factors, such as the lifestyle and circumstances of the deceased and whether they had had interactions with substance abuse services or other service providers before their death. Each case study was launched as soon as possible after the key facts had been communicated by the police or the forensic medicine authority.

Drug-related deaths among young people occur all over the country. In 2023, cases were reported by 17 different wellbeing services counties as well as the City of Helsinki. Most of the deaths had occurred in large towns and cities and often in a private residence. The investigation also revealed that the most common cause of death in these cases was the simultaneous use of benzodiazepines and opioids. The risks associated with mixing these substances were clearly poorly understood.

‘We have to stamp out the stigma surrounding drug use and get over the idea that young persons who die from drugs come from dysfunctional families or troubled childhoods. Drug-related deaths among young people are a phenomenon that touches us all. Some of the young persons featured in the case studies had done well at school or had successful careers,’ says Investigator-in-Charge Hanna Tiirinki.

Tiirinki adds: ‘It is also important to remember that children do not grow up overnight when they reach the age of majority. This transition from adolescence to adulthood must be given more attention, and more support and care must be available.’

"The Safety Investigation Authority’s accident investigations generally start from the premise that accidents, by definition, are preventable. Substance addiction is an illness like any other. Illnesses can be treated. Mental health problems also need to be treatable – more than 70 per cent of the young persons who died in 2023 had an identified mental health condition. We do not currently have the right tools or operating models. Overcoming the problem calls for a collaborative, proactive approach. The question we should really be asking is “What could possibly be more important than the wellbeing of children and young people?”’ Tiirinki says.

The Safety Investigation Authority has come up with eight recommendations for the prevention of drug-related deaths among young people under the age of 25 years. The recommendations complement each other to drive efforts to prevent drug-related deaths among young people. The overarching priority is to build a nationally cohesive service package and service pathway. This can be achieved by improving the provision of treatment guidance, promoting safe pharmacotherapy, stepping up efforts to educate the public about the dangers of poly-drug use, deploying new technology to identify life-threatening drug poisoning situations, training emergency dispatchers, supporting young people as they transition to independent living and reforming child welfare services.

‘The service system must be improved so as to turn the mental health and substance abuse services that are available to young people into a functional and coordinated package,’ Tiirinki says.

Link to the Safety Investigation Authority’s video

The debate continues at 5 pm on 25 June 2024 on SuomiAreena

Link to summary and investigation report

More information:

 Investigator-in-Charge Hanna Tiirinki, tel. +358 (0)29 515 0747