Drugs, Crime and Health in Norway
Hand grenades and youth crime have dominated the headlines in Norway in recent weeks. The underlying cause, drug use, gets far less attention. Drugs drive crime, violence and health problems. The scale is growing and affects all parts of Norwegian society.
October 7, 2025 | NORWEGIAN POLITICS
Image by AI/S&P
Last night, there was another grenade explosion in Strømmen, where two young men were arrested. This further fuels the debate about “Swedish conditions” in Norway, youth crime, and child welfare. In this post, we take a closer look at drug use as the driving force behind this crime.
Cannabis is the most commonly used drug in Norway, and cocaine use ranks third in Europe. This shows that Norwegian authorities have lost control over the country’s borders and the smuggling of drugs into Norway.
In general, we hear little about the consequences that drug use has for society. It leads to significant resource use by the police, the courts, and the correctional services. The health impacts also create serious consequences for the healthcare system and welfare agencies. According to an article from VG (2021), the annual cost was over 35 billion kroner. However, since the pandemic, drug use has increased even further.
Although it is necessary to implement immediate measures to curb the youth crime we are now witnessing, significant resources should also be directed toward reducing the flow of drugs into Norway. Furthermore, there should be more public information and preventive work against drug use.
Only a minority of drug users end up on the streets as heavy addicts — users can be found in all social classes, and in some circles, drug use is as accepted as alcohol. The issue is even relevant within the royal family.
Side Effects of Cocaine Use
Headache
Mental disorders
Stomach pain
Damage to the lungs and other organs
HIV or hepatitis if the substance is injected
Bowel necrosis (tissue death in the intestines) if swallowed
Loss of smell, nosebleeds, runny nose, and difficulty swallowing if snorted
Convulsions and seizures
Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
Movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease
Kidney problems
Coma
Sudden death
SOURCES
Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)
Drug Use in NorwayNorwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)
Drug Use and Its ConsequencesDagens Medisin
Cocaine Use in Norway Ranks Third in EuropeNorwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI)
Cocaine and Weekend Drinking
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