National data from 2024 show improvements in indicators concerning drugs and alcohol in the Azores - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, through the Regional Directorate for Prevention and Control of Dependencies (DRPCD), highlighted the positive results shown in the latest data from the 2024 Annual Report - The Situation of the Country on Drugs and Drug Addiction and the 2024 Annual Report - The Situation of the Country on Alcohol Consumption, published by the Institute for Addictive Behaviors and Addictions (ICAD). They confirm that the Autonomous Region of the Azores is on a sustained path to improve and strengthen public responses.

As for drugs, the Azores are among the regions of the country with the lowest prevalence of recent drug use among the population aged 15 to 74, reflecting the national downward trend. It should also be noted that the Region registered the most significant decline in recent consumption of drugs other than cannabis compared to the previous year, demonstrating the effectiveness of the prevention, deterrence and treatment policies implemented.

Regarding alcohol consumption, the data also confirm encouraging indicators. The Azores were one of the few regions in the country to record simultaneous declines in recent severe drunkenness among the 15-74 and 15-34 age groups. In parallel, there was also a reduction in high-risk/harmful consumption or addiction, placing the Region among those showing favourable developments in this area.

Although hospital admissions related to alcohol consumption totalled 790 cases in 2024, an increase of 36 cases compared to 2023, it should be noted that this figure represents a very significant reduction compared to 2019 (1,026 admissions).

In terms of the overall rate of hospital admissions due to alcohol consumption, 2024 saw the lowest rate ever in the Region - 3.10% - since records began.

According to data collected by ICAD, the Azores are no longer the region with the highest mortality rate from alcohol-related disorders, which fell from 37.3% in 2022 to 29.1% in 2023.

The potential years of life lost due to alcohol-related disorders also show a significant improvement, with a reduction from 943 years in 2022 to 685 years in 2023, causing the regional rate to fall from 444.9 to 322.6. With these figures, the Region is no longer in the top position nationwide. 

These results confirm that ongoing investment in prevention, treatment and risk reduction is having a tangible impact in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. In this regard, the work carried out by the DRPCD following up on the Azores Task Force is noteworthy. It is a clear sign of how the measures implemented are having an effect, albeit gradually, as is to be expected in matters of addictive behaviours and dependencies. In the area of prevention, the creation of two Specialised Prevention Teams has ensured more consistent and territorially balanced interventions throughout the archipelago.

The data now released reflect the impact of the work carried out in the Region, while remaining aware that there is still a long way to go, particularly in reinforcing prevention policies, treatment responses and coordination among all partners to consolidate and build on the progress achieved.