Germany sees increase in drug-related deaths

The latest drugs report has shown that the number of drug-related deaths in Germany last year rose by 3 percent, from 1,002 to 1,032. Between 2009 and 2012, the number of cases was on the decline.

Drug Commissioner Marlene Mortler (CSU) presented the new figures in Berlin on Tuesday, together with the president of Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office, Holger Münch.

Psychoactive drugs push figures

Increased consumption of new psychoactive substances, such as MDMA, which can often be purchased over the Internet and are sometimes even legal, was highlighted as a key factor behind the high number of victims. The number of deaths caused by so-called legal highs soared last year from five to 25.

"Every death is one death too many," Mortler said on Tuesday.

Most drug-related deaths are still due to heroin use, however.

Ever-changing market

Designer drugs are also a cause of concern among drugs policy officials and narcotics officers on an international scale.

According to the latest World Drug Report, in mid-2012 there were 251 psychoactive drugs. By December 2013 the figure had already reached 348.

"Synthetic drugs have an ever-growing significance," Germany's drug commissioner said.

Many of the legal highs in question have been known in principle for a long time and are already banned. Their constantly changing molecular forms and names, however, enable them to reappear on the market.

'Bold solution'

Statistics presented on Tuesday also showed that the average age for deaths among drug users now stands at 38.5 years and that 85 percent of the victims are men.

The use of the highly dangerous drug crystal meth has also surged. The number of recorded consumers rose last year by 2,746 to more than 3,100.

With the exception of cannabis, the impact of herbal drugs has fallen, however.

During Tuesday's press conference Mortler also announced a new law, which, in the future, would see all substances generally classified as illegal. The CSU politician said it would be a "bold solution."

ksb/kms (dpa, epd)