In 2020, the European Union reported 5800 drug overdose deaths in a population of 440 million. The same year, the United States, with a population of 330 million, reported 68 000 drug overdose deaths.

6 comments

1. Yes, we are aware that we are bordering Mexico.

2. How dumb is this article. The EU does not border Mexico and is not close to South America you morons.

3. Studying to get license to be able to work as an MD in US, and first time learning that there are tons of illicit drugs, toxicities, overdoses. Here in Turkey we dont even have those in our curriculum, only alcohol and opioids

4. This comment section is wild. If bordering Mexico is the reason for the higher number of drug overdose deaths, is bordering the US the reason for Mexicos high number in gun violence?

5. Article is paywalled, is this about illegal drugs in particular or drugs in general? I can see this being a case of drugs in general, because Americans go to the doctor to get help in much later stages of a disease or physical condition than Europeans do, because of their healthcare problem. They basically resolve to bear their issues in order to save money. In other words, diseases and conditions that Europeans resolve as soon as they discover them, tend to be left untreated by Americans until they become unbearable for them. By the time they get help, Americans require stronger drugs, higher doses, and thus have higher chances of overdosing than Europeans do.

6. It s called freedom