Demographics overview
Iceland is a small Northern European country with a total population of 366 425 people, who primarily live in two cities — Reykjavik, the capital, and Akureyri. With a population density of only 3 inhabitants per square kilometer, Iceland is the least crowded country in Europe. According to Wikström (2018), illegal drugs are primarily used by young adults in the 18-29 age range. As such, the nature of drug use in Iceland can be described as experimental — young people see something new in them and decide to try it out. As Icelanders get older, they tend to lose interest in drugs and use less of them.
The most popular drugs
The most popular drugs in Iceland are the ones that are considered recreational and hence decriminalized in certain countries — marijuana (cannabis) and hashish (hash). Cannabis is especially popular among youth. According to a survey of Icelandic 10-graders by Arnarsson et al. (2018), 65% of them never tried cannabis, which means that 35% tried it at least once. The popularity of marijuana can be explained by the fact that it can be grown at home (Sigfusdottir et al., 2020). However, even the popularity of marijuana has decreased significantly in comparison to the 1990s. Additionally, amphetamines and cocaine are also smuggled in Iceland from abroad, but their availability is scarce due to drug prevention efforts.
Laws concerning drug use and abuse
Iceland has implemented strict laws in regard to drug use and abuse as a part of the drug prevention use strategy. Possession, manufacturing, selling, and using of all drugs are illegal. As a result, the Icelandic police register nearly 2000 drug-related offenses yearly, and almost 40% of incarcerated Icelanders were arrested due to anti-drug laws violations (Helgason, 2021). As such, legal leverage serves as one of the most prominent anti-drug instruments of Icelandic authorities.
Gangs and organized crime in Iceland
Despite being one of the safest countries in the world, Iceland is facing a threat of organized crime. After the brutal murder of Armando Beqiri, a man of Albanian origin, Icelandic police traced and linked it to the rivalry between organized crime groups (Helgason, 2021). Among other illegitimate activities, these groups are reportedly involved in manufacturing synthetic drugs, such as amphetamines (Helgason, 2021). Therefore, curbing organized crime may become the new priority in the drug prevention efforts of the Icelandic government.
Shifting the perception of drug use
After implementing a decisive anti-drug campaign in the 1990s, Iceland has managed to drastically reduce the levels of illegal drug use. However, certain aspects of drug use in the modern age are currently being re-evaluated. For example, there is an ongoing debate on cannabis decriminalization since this natural drug is supposedly less harmful to health than nicotine and alcohol. In addition, the opioid crisis manifested in the increasing number of deaths due to overdose of prescription drugs may lead to significant legislation changes (Wikström, 2018).
Harm reduction programs
Iceland has successfully introduced several measures of drug-associated harm reduction. For instance, the Icelandic Red Cross runs a needle and syringe program (NSP), which is aimed at preventing the spread of bloodborne diseases (Ólafsson et al., 2018). Additionally, Mrs. and Mr. Ragnheiður projects implemented mobile patrols, which help homeless and drug-addicted people in Reykjavik and Akureyri. Through these programs, the Icelandic government controls the possible spread of HIV and Hepatitis C.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation process in Iceland is primarily handled by the National Center of Addiction Medicine. As a part of national health care system, the Center is responsible for treating the majority of drug and alcohol abuse cases in the country (National Center of Addiction Medicine, 2021). The care is delivered by experienced medical professionals — physicians, nurses, and psychologists. In addition to this facility, alcohol and drug addicts can receive primary care at the Vogur Hospital and Detoxication Clinic.
Prevention programs
Iceland pays the most attention to preventing drug use among children, adolescents, and young adults since these population groups are more likely to try drugs. According to Sigfusdottir et al. (2020), the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) truly began when the media spread scientific findings regarding high rates of youth drunkenness. Additionally, the Pan-European School Studies conducted between 1995 and 1999 revealed that Icelandic youth consumed tobacco, alcohol and used cannabis more frequently than in most European countries (Sigfusdottir et al., 2020). In the face of these disturbing facts, a nationwide Drug-Free Iceland project was established in order to curb drug and alcohol use among the Icelandic youth. The project emphasized the wide spread of scientific findings, parent involvement, and regulated engagement of children and adolescents in prosocial activities, such as sport.
Prevention programs: Results
The government of Iceland also focused on restricting the availability of alcohol and drugs to children and adolescents. For example, in 1995, 59,3% of 10-graders claimed that it is “very easy” to get beer (Arnarsson et al., 2018). In 1999, only 10,9% of 10-graders considered it impossible to buy cannabis (Arnarsson et al., 2018). By 2015, those number changed to 22,2% and 29,5% respectively. In addition to effective restrictive measures, the Icelandic government managed to offer children and adolescents interesting and easily available alternative activities. As a result, this combined approach led to an impressive reduction in drug, alcohol, and tobacco use in Iceland.
Fun facts
This fact sounds quite surprising nowadays, but Iceland used to be one of the worst countries in Europe in terms of drug and alcohol use rates in youth. Additionally, COVID-19 pandemic has made an unexpected positive impact in case of Iceland, as local drug dealers become unable to receive shipments from their contacts abroad.
References
Arnarsson, A., Kristofersson, G. K., & Bjarnason, T. (2018). Adolescent alcohol and cannabis use in Iceland 1995–2015. Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, S49-S57.
Helgason, S. (2021). Brutal murder shocks Iceland, prompts government to focus on organized crime. Global Initiative. Web.
National Center of Addiction Medicine (2021). About. Web.
Ólafsson, S., Tyrfingsson, T., Rúnarsdóttir, V., Bergmann, O. M., Hansdóttir, I., Björnsson, E. S., Johannsson, B., Sigurdardottir, B., Fridriksdottir, R. H., Löve, A., Hellard, M., Löve, T. J., Gudnason, T., Heimisdottir, M., & Gottfredsson, M. (2018). Treatment as Prevention for Hepatitis C (TraP Hep C) – A nationwide elimination programme in Iceland using direct‐acting antiviral agents. Journal of Internal Medicine, 283(5), 500-507.
Scott, N., Ólafsson, S., Gottfreðsson, M., Tyrfingsson, T., Rúnarsdóttir, V., Hansdottir, I., Benitez Hernandez, U., Sigmundsdottir, G., & Hellard, M. (2018). Modelling the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat in Iceland: A goal attainable by 2020. Journal of Hepatology, 68(5), 932-939.
Sigfusdottir, I. D., Soriano, H. E., Mann, M. J., & Kristjansson, A. L. (2020). Prevention is possible: A brief history of the origin and dissemination of the Icelandic prevention model. Health Promotion Practice, 21(1), 58-61.
Wikström, M. (2018). The opioid crisis is overshadowing cannabis legalisation in Iceland. PopNad. Web.