Stašinskis pointed out that the drug market is extremely dynamic and changes every three to five years. At the moment there is a big influx of various types of synthetic opiates and opioids, more specifically, derivatives of the nitazene group of substances. These substances are mixed - as many as three to five substances with opposite effects can be found in a patient's body at the same time. The consequences of such cocktails are unpredictable and can result in death, Stašinskis explained.
He noted that although young people are currently at risk, mature people in their 30s and 40s are also increasingly using drugs.
While young people are more likely to use intoxicating substances because "it is interesting to try", the doctor found it difficult to explain the behaviour of adults.
Asked whether he supports the initiative of the Latvian Medical Association and the organisation "OPEN" to decriminalize the use of illegal drugs and move toward harm reduction, Stašinskis said that the question is not a straightforward "yes" or "no", but at the moment he feels that the initiative should not be supported.
According to the Latvian Medical Association, it is difficult to provide the necessary help and treatment in the event of a drug overdose, as the Emergency Medical Service is not notified in time for fear of criminal prosecution.
"Sometimes, after successful resuscitation, victims try to flee from their doctors, causing additional harm," the association says.
Edijs Klaišis, head of the association "OPEN Radošais centrs", also gave a concrete example to Latvian Television of a 16-year-old boy who died of an overdose in Ogre because his friends did not call for help for fear of the police.
"The policy that has been followed for 34 years has not brought any results. It has only got worse. Obviously, we have to recognize that we have to change our approach. Enough [people] are becoming vegetables. And the state has to maintain them. But shouldn't something be changed so that we do not have to deal with the consequences? We are not fighting for legalization! Just decriminalization," explained Klaišis.
Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity) believes that this could be supported, but first a discussion is needed:
"It is very important to discuss this issue because for people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs or substances, it is a disease. And they need help. And until we tell them that if they get sick they can safely go to hospital or call the ambulance, we are losing these young people. This IS something that needs to be discussed. And from a doctor's point of view, we need to help."
