Surge in drug use reported among children in Iceland as girls outnumber boys

There has been a surprising increase in reports of drug use among children in Iceland, highlighting a rising trend in risky behavior among adolescents. For the first time, reports indicate that there are more instances of substance use among girls than boys.

Eva Dögg Sigurðardóttir, a sociologist and data analysis expert at the Child and Family Agency, observed a 30% increase in overall reports of risky behavior for the first three months of 2024, compared to the previous year. The statistics released last week covered the first quarter of this year and compared it to the previous two years.

Reports of various risk factors have increased, including situations where children endanger their health and development, engage in violent behavior, or partake in criminal activities. Notably, the number of reports related to children’s substance use has more than doubled year-on-year.

In the first quarter of 2024, child protection services received 4,462 reports, compared to 3,825 during the same period last year and 3,168 the year before that. This dramatic rise contrasts sharply with years prior, where approximately 2,000 reports were received annually from 2017 to 2019.

Additionally, the number of children assessed as being in imminent danger has increased significantly. In the first three months of this year, 220 children were identified as being at risk, an increase from 203 last year and 164 the year before that, with a substantial rise in the number of girls considered at risk.

Authorities express concern over the growing number of children deemed in imminent danger, particularly highlighting the alarming trend regarding girls. This situation will require careful monitoring and analysis moving forward.