International Overdose Awareness Day, observed on August 31, is an important event that draws attention to one of the most serious public health problems – drug overdose deaths. This problem is particularly acute in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region, where there are high levels of injecting drug use, especially opioids. With limited access to medical care and harm reduction programs, the overdose situation remains critical. VirusOFF honors the memory of all those who have lost their lives to overdoses and calls for attention to the need for prevention and timely assistance to those in need, and to support harm reduction efforts and protect lives through access to life-saving medications and support programs.
According to the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), there are more than 6,600 drug overdose deaths in Europe each year, and this number continues to rise, especially with the spread of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl in Eastern Europe. In russia, over 7,000 people died from overdoses in 2021 alone, and the number could be much higher due to reporting and stigmatization issues. In Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Health, about 1.5 thousand overdose deaths were reported in 2022. In Kazakhstan, according to data for 2021, about 500 people died from overdoses. At the same time, measures to combat drug addiction are being strengthened in the country, but access to substitution therapy programs and assistance remains limited.
The war in Ukraine has significantly worsened access to health services and substitution treatment programs for people who use drugs. Many patients, especially in conditions of forced migration, lose access to life-saving drugs such as methadone and buprenorphine, leading to an increase in overdoses. The situation is exacerbated by disruptions in the supply of medicines and limited availability of medical care.
Naloxone, a drug that can prevent opioid overdose deaths, remains poorly available in the EECA region. Despite the proven effectiveness of naloxone, its distribution faces challenges related to legislative restrictions, lack of funding, and lack of awareness among the population and healthcare providers. Many countries in the region still lack naloxone take-home programs, depriving people of the ability to respond quickly to overdoses at home, in russia, access to naloxone also remains problematic due to legal restrictions and low awareness of its use among the public and health care providers.
The overdose situation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia requires urgent action. Improved access to substitution therapy, expanded naloxone distribution programs and strengthened prevention activities are needed. International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us of the need to coordinate the efforts of governments, health professionals and community organizations to prevent deaths and support vulnerable populations.