ISSDP 2025 Manchester

The Power of Numbers in Policy Responses to Drug-Related Deaths
Lena Eriksson and Jessica Storbjörk

Background
As the EMCDDA European Drug Report 2017 was published, Sweden found itself at the top of the drug-related deaths (DRD) statistics – surpassed only by Estonia. This rating caused some commotion and drew attention to the nation’s restrictive drug policy. However, the statistics should not have come as a surprise since Swedish statistics had shown ever mounting increases in DRDs long before 2017.
Objectives and methods
The document-based study traces awareness of and responses to DRDs in Swedish parliamentary debate and media: to what extent have DRDs propelled drug policy toward harm reduction (1965-2025)? Inspired by Rhodes’ (2002) risk environment framework, we explore discernable connections between DRD numbers and policy responses.
Results
Debates of the 2010s highlighted users’ unequal access to welfare services, particularly health care. Also, abstinence-based treatment was challenged. In policy, harm reduction became relocated from drug policy to the public health field. Further, access to Naloxone was fast-tracked, and needle and syringe exchanges expanded. These measures were arguably instigated by the high numbers of DRDs. Previously, nothing like this occurred when rising and alarming death rates were reported.
Implications
Restrictive drug policies tend to be reactive rather than pro-active in combating DRDs, and Sweden’s goal of a drug-free society created strong path dependence along the repressive path. The long-term perspective on policy responses to DRDs reveals that sheer numbers have not been reason enough to take action. Recognizing this might open up for better preparedness and understanding of what drives drug policy.