A total of 184 deaths in Cyprus have been attributed to drug overdoses since 2004, data released on Tuesday by the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (NAAC) showed.

Speaking ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day, a global event held annually on August 31 since 2001, NAAC’s head Christos Mina said the European Union’s drug agency estimates that at least 6,400 overdose deaths occurred across the EU in 2022. Most of these were linked to the use of multiple substances.

“Overdose deaths can be prevented,” Mina said, adding that NAAC aims to foster a society that better understands the significance of drug overdoses and how they can be prevented.

He also mentioned that the authority is focused on reducing the stigma associated with substance-related deaths.

“To achieve this, NAAC is implementing measures such as integrating opioid users into substitution treatment, expanding harm reduction interventions across Cyprus, and providing harm reduction materials through automated machines in all districts.

“Additionally, NAAC is working to ensure the availability of naloxone and to provide training on its proper use to both frontline professionals and opioid users and their families,” Mina concluded.