/ image alliance, Flashpic, Jens Krick
Berlin – Regarding possible scenarios in which synthetic opioids could cause major problems in Europe, the Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drugs Issues, Burkhard Blienert, today invited guests to a technical discussion.
“We don’t know whether we will also have problems in Germany, but focused preparedness is essential,” said Blienert. As part of the expert panel, representatives from science, healthcare, security authorities and drug and addiction support should therefore discuss strategies for fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
As Blienert pointed out, the drug market is changing very rapidly – not least because of the internationally active drug cartels. They are constantly bringing new and increasingly potent substances onto the market. In the USA, around 100,000 people die each year as a result of the use of synthetic opioids, especially fentanyl.
So far in Germany, a good drug control system and a strong health and addiction support system have managed to prevent fentanyl or other opioids from becoming a problem.
Even if conditions in this country are not the same as in the US, synthetic opiates on the black market could also cause many deaths in Germany. “This is all the more true because we do not know what consequences any decline in opium production in Afghanistan could have for us,” Blienert warned.
This is why, among other things, it is a question of how to include as many people as possible in substitution programmes and how drug consumption rooms and drug controls can make an even greater contribution to containing risks.
Additionally, it should be explored how the emergency medication naloxone, which can combat opioid overdoses, can be made available everywhere. © aha/aerzteblatt.de