A new Swedish government inquiry concludes that the retail monopoly and alcohol tax remain central tools for reducing alcohol related harm and protecting public health.

A new report from Folkhälsomyndigheten shows that drug use continues to fall among young people in Sweden, while levels among adults remain stable. Drug-related deaths are decreasing, but drug seizures are rising, pointing to increasing availability.

Everyone can play a role for children and young people growing up with an adult who drinks too much. The awareness week “Play a role” takes place on 9 to 15 February 2026 and includes digital seminars and local activities.

Swedish Customs presented its seizure statistics for 2025 at a press briefing by the Öresund Bridge on 5 February, highlighting a sharp increase in seizures of hard drugs and the scale of smuggling pressure facing Sweden.

State funding for the EPT network, which coordinates NGO cooperation in preventive substance use work, will end in 2026, despite growing substance-related harms and broad opposition from civil society organisations.