Finland has seen an increase in drug overdose deaths in recent years, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
In 2015, 141 people died from accidental drug overdoses. By 2020, the fatality figure grew to 258.
Kotka Police Sergeant Sanna Aatola said that her job makes the issue of drug abuse part of everyday life. More than 20 years ago, when she started her career as a police officer, things were different, as alcohol was the most abused drug of choice.
Nowadays, she said that other drugs are a constant presence in her line of work, with young people increasingly using them.
Overdose deaths among people under the age of 30 are on the rise, with typical drug overdose victims being males in their thirties who lose their lives while sleeping at home, according to THL.
Unlike some other countries, Finland does not have a high rate of drug related deaths that occur on the streets, THL senior researcher Sanna Kailanto told Yle.
Punishment not the answer
According to detective chief inspector Kari Siivo from the Police Board, penalising addicts is not the answer.
"Punishment does not reduce drug use," Siivo said.
Last year a THL working group suggested that the overdose medication naloxone should be added to police patrol equipment as a method of tackling drug-related deaths. Naloxone reverses the effects of opioids and can prevent fatal respiratory depression in victims.
"People should be made aware that naloxone is a drug available from pharmacies on prescription," Kailanto said.
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