Arni Einarsson shared insights into the country’s alcohol and drug policy, emphasizing their approach to addressing alcohol and drugs together. The official policy, adopted in 2014, focuses on limiting access, protecting vulnerable groups, preventing initiation, reducing harmful use, providing quality services for those with problems, and reducing deaths related to substance use. Einarsson stressed the importance of a public health perspective in policy decisions.
He highlighted that Iceland maintains a monopoly on alcohol sales, a practice that had been consistent until 2022, when it changed to allow direct sales from producers. This shift also saw the emergence of unregulated online alcohol sales. The legal age for purchasing alcohol is set at 20 years, and 18 for tobacco. Iceland also enforces high alcohol taxes, bans on alcohol and tobacco advertising, and strict limits on legal blood alcohol concentration.
Einarsson presented data indicating no significant changes in drug use among Icelandic youth, with some slight increase in the use of tranquillizers or sedatives without prescriptions, mirroring trends in other European countries. Concerns have been raised about a potential increase in alcohol and drug use among young people based on observations from schools and those working with youth.
For older age groups, there has been an observable increase in cannabis use, particularly among younger adults. After a decline during COVID, drinking has begun to rise again. In terms of nicotine use, there has been a notable shift from smoking to nicotine patches, especially among younger demographics.
The discussion also covered the increase in prescribed drug use, though the total quantity of drugs has not increased proportionally. An opioid pandemic was identified, with a steady rise in opioid addiction cases since 2012.
Public opinion in Iceland on drug use has evolved significantly. There is growing support for legalizing cannabis and possession of drugs for personal use. More people now view regular cannabis use and heavy drinking as low-risk behaviours. Despite these changes, there is still considerable resistance to dismantling the alcohol monopoly. Repeated legislative attempts to legalize possession of drugs for personal use have not progressed in parliament.
Einarsson concluded by reflecting on these trends, noting a recent shift towards treatment over prevention. This shift potentially indicates a move away from the traditional Icelandic model. However, he also observed an increasing number of influential individuals joining the conversation, raising critical questions about the side effects and potential risks of these changing trends.
Takeaway points:
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Shift in public opinion and policy: There has been a significant change in public opinion in Iceland regarding drug use, particularly towards the legalization of cannabis and possession of drugs for personal use. This shift is also reflected in policy changes, such as the allowance of direct alcohol sales from producers and the unregulated online sale of alcohol.
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Changing trends in substance use: Einarsson highlighted notable changes in substance use patterns in Iceland. Among younger adults, there is an increase in cannabis use, and a shift from smoking to nicotine patches is evident, particularly among the youth. Additionally, there’s a concerning rise in risk drinking post-COVID, reversing the trend observed during the pandemic.
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Focus on treatment over prevention: The current trend in Iceland shows a growing emphasis on treatment rather than prevention in addressing drug and alcohol issues. This approach marks a potential shift away from the traditional Icelandic model, which has historically focused more on prevention strategies. This change raises questions about the long-term effectiveness and impacts of such a shift in strategy.
Erindi Árna Einarssonar framkvæmdastjóra FRÆ á netmálþingi NordAN 20. nóvember 2023. – Samantekt og slæður.
Arni Einarsson, FRÆ-Fræðsla og forvarnir