T2023-S1 Thema investigation into the drug related deaths of young people

02.01.2023

The Safety Investigation Authority, Finland, has decided to initiate a themed investigation under section 2 of the Safety Investigation Act (525/2011) into the drug-related deaths of young people under 25 years of age. The themed investigation will start on 1 January 2023.

The investigation will study:

• What kind of direct and indirect factors leading to death can be identified behind the drug-related deaths of young people.
• How the services offered for young drug users meet their needs.
• How the referral to care and treatment are realised in the wellbeing services counties.
• What other kind of support had the young people received in their situation.
• The investigation will also study the roles, duties, cooperation and practical measures of the authorities in preventing drug-related deaths of young people.

Cases of violent death will be excluded from the scope of the investigation.

It is estimated that the investigation report will be ready for publication in the early summer of 2024.

Ilona Hatakka (preparedness and the organisation sector) has been appointed as the Head of the Investigation Team, and Timo Naskali (safety investigation), Janne Alanen (emergency medical service), Sanna Ranta (social and health care services), Mikko Salasuo (youth and drug research), Antti Virtanen (forensic medicine) and Tarja Wiikinkoski (cooperation by the authorities) have been appointed as its members. Chief Safety Investigator of social welfare and health care accidents Hanna Tiirinki will serve as the Investigator-in-Charge.