SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria has witnessed an alarming surge in deaths linked to opioid overdoses, primarily involving fentanyl, with fatalities reportedly increasing tenfold in the past year, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
Yulia Georgieva, manager of Sofia’s “Pink House,” a support center for people battling addiction, sounded the alarm in a recent Facebook post. She revealed that 44 individuals under their care have died in the past 18 months, in addition to dozens of others they monitored anonymously in the field.
“For comparison, between 2021 and 2023, we recorded just 13 deaths,” Georgieva wrote. “The true scale of this tragedy is far greater than what official statistics suggest.”
Experts say the grim numbers likely understate the crisis. In Bulgaria, autopsies are rarely performed unless families request and pay for them, meaning many overdose deaths go unclassified. Fatalities often end up listed as respiratory or cardiac failure, obscuring the role of opioids.
“This system hides the real impact of the fentanyl epidemic,” Georgieva explained. “We are losing people every week, yet their deaths don’t appear in national data.”
The government’s delayed action has compounded the problem. A new National Strategy for Combating Drugs, initially planned for 2025, remains unapproved despite repeated warnings from medical and social service organizations.
“Without coordinated, deliberate state measures, this situation will only worsen,” Georgieva cautioned. “Symbolic campaigns and statements are no substitute for real prevention and harm reduction policies.”
Authorities have acknowledged the growing danger posed by fentanyl, a synthetic opioid between 50 and 100 times stronger than morphine or heroin. Chief Inspector Alexander Netsov of Sofia’s Criminal Police described it as “one of the most lethal substances in circulation,” emphasizing that even minimal exposure can be deadly.
According to Netsov, fentanyl is frequently sold in urban neighborhoods, often mixed with other substances to boost dealers’ profits. Investigations have revealed cases in which cocaine—sold as “pure”—was secretly laced with fentanyl, leading to fatal overdoses among unsuspecting users.
Health professionals have called for urgent reforms, including free toxicology testing, improved overdose tracking, and wider access to treatment and antidotes like naloxone.
As fentanyl continues to spread through Bulgaria’s illicit drug market, community workers warn the nation risks a full-scale public health catastrophe unless decisive action is taken.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members