Drug Overdose Deaths in Italy Rise 1.76% in 2024, Annual Report Shows

Rome: Drug overdose deaths in Italy increased by 1.76% reaching 231 in 2024, as reported by the 2025 Annual Report of the Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services. The report highlights that 191 of the victims were men, accounting for 82.68% of the total, while the number of female victims rose by 11.11% compared to 2023, with 40 women succumbing to overdoses.

According to Ansa News Agency, the highest mortality rates were observed in individuals over the age of 25, with the most significant number of deaths occurring in those aged 40 and older. Geographically, the North of Italy recorded the most overdose deaths at 41.56%, followed by the Central region at 33.77%, and the South, including islands, at 24.68%.

The report further specifies that the regions of Lazio, Tuscany, and Emilia Romagna each recorded the highest number of drug overdose victims, with 26 deaths. Veneto followed with 25 deaths, Campania with 21, Marche with 18, and Piedmont with 15. Campania, Lazio, and Friuli Venezia Giulia experienced the most substantial percentage increases in deaths compared to 2023, whereas no deaths were reported in Basilicata and Valle d’Aosta.

Cocaine abuse was identified as the leading cause of overdose deaths in 2024, accounting for 78 fatalities. Despite the rise in overdose deaths, there was a significant 34.66% reduction in narcotics seizures, totaling over 58 tons in 2024 compared to more than 88 tons in 2023.

The report delineates a decline in seizures of cocaine, hashish, synthetic drugs in powder form, and marijuana. Conversely, there were increases in the seizures of heroin, synthetic drugs in doses/tablets, and other drugs in doses/tablets. The majority of drug seizures occurred in the South and the islands, comprising 48.39% of the total, followed by the North and Central Italy.

Puglia emerged as the region with the highest volume of drug seizures, exceeding 10 tons, while Valle d’Aosta and Basilicata had the lowest. Border areas, particularly maritime ones, accounted for 32.29% of total seizures, with a noted decrease in intercepted shipments at borders by 17.53% from the previous year.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, commenting on the report, emphasized the comprehensive challenge posed by drug trafficking and abuse, which extends beyond public order to impact public health, the economy, justice, and social cohesion. He highlighted the role of drug trafficking and abuse as potent agents of social disintegration, contributing to violence, crime, and societal degradation.