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Luxembourg is among the world's highest consumers of psychotropic medicines, according to Anouk Hinger, director of the National Addiction Prevention Centre (CNAPA). Speaking to RTL on Thursday morning, she highlighted the scale of medication use and called for a broader approach to preventing addiction, including stronger attention to the availability and promotion of potentially harmful substances. Hinger said approximately 355,000 prescriptions for psychotropic drugs are issued in Luxembourg each year. The category includes antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, sleeping pills and sedatives. Her comments drew attention to a public-health issue that extends beyond illegal drugs to medicines that may be prescribed and used in everyday life. The CNAPA director also discussed the role of alcohol, tobacco and other substances in Luxembourg society. Alcohol remains deeply embedded in social and cultural life, she said, making prevention more complicated than simply asking individuals to take responsibility for their choices. Hinger pointed to the Dry January campaign as one way to encourage people to reflect on their drinking habits and take a break from alcohol. She argued that legal measures also have a role to play, including adjustments concerning the age at which products can be sold, sales practices and advertising. The visibility and availability of products such as alcohol and vaping devices were particular concerns. Hinger cited petrol stations as an example of places where consumers can encounter a broad range of such products. Her remarks also addressed cannabis, where she cautioned against assuming that legal status means a substance is harmless. The fact that a substance is illegal does not automatically mean it is harmful in every circumstance, she explained, just as legality does not eliminate potential health risks. Discussing a 2023 Luxembourg cannabis survey, Hinger said nearly 70% of respondents who had used cannabis in the previous 30 days cited relaxation as a reason. More than one-fifth also reported feelings of depression or anxiety. She cautioned that these findings need careful interpretation, particularly where consumption may be used to cope with emotional difficulties rather than being accompanied by other ways of managing stress. Hinger stressed that substance use does not automatically amount to addiction. Assessing whether consumption is becoming problematic requires consideration of its frequency, quantity and motivation. Nevertheless, consumption can cause harm to an individual's health, relationships or everyday functioning before a clinical diagnosis of addiction is made. She also highlighted situations in which substance use should be avoided, including pregnancy, driving and operating machinery. The discussion extended to screens and social media. Hinger said their growing place in daily life raises concerns for adults as well as children and teenagers. She supports a social-media ban for children and young people as a youth-protection measure, while also calling for greater responsibility and more checks by platform operators. She emphasised that restrictions alone would not be sufficient: education and guidance are also needed to help young people develop healthier digital habits. These issues are due to feature in CNAPA's resilience forum on Friday as part of Mental Health Weeks. For people worried about a relative or friend, Hinger advised raising specific behaviours that cause concern rather than attempting to diagnose the person. Listening respectfully, maintaining contact and offering help, including support from specialist services where necessary, are important steps, she said.
Luxembourg is among the world’s highest consumers of psychotropic medicines, according to Anouk Hinger, director of the National Addiction Prevention Centre (CNAPA). Speaking to RTL on Thursday morning, she highlighted the scale of medication use and called for a broader approach to preventing addiction, including stronger attention to the availability and promotion of potentially harmful substances.
Hinger said approximately 355,000 prescriptions for psychotropic drugs are issued in Luxembourg each year. The category includes antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, sleeping pills and sedatives. Her comments drew attention to a public-health issue that extends beyond illegal drugs to medicines that may be prescribed and used in everyday life.
The CNAPA director also discussed the role of alcohol, tobacco and other substances in Luxembourg society. Alcohol remains deeply embedded in social and cultural life, she said, making prevention more complicated than simply asking individuals to take responsibility for their choices. Hinger pointed to the Dry January campaign as one way to encourage people to reflect on their drinking habits and take a break from alcohol.
She argued that legal measures also have a role to play, including adjustments concerning the age at which products can be sold, sales practices and advertising. The visibility and availability of products such as alcohol and vaping devices were particular concerns. Hinger cited petrol stations as an example of places where consumers can encounter a broad range of such products.
Her remarks also addressed cannabis, where she cautioned against assuming that legal status means a substance is harmless. The fact that a substance is illegal does not automatically mean it is harmful in every circumstance, she explained, just as legality does not eliminate potential health risks.
Discussing a 2023 Luxembourg cannabis survey, Hinger said nearly 70% of respondents who had used cannabis in the previous 30 days cited relaxation as a reason. More than one-fifth also reported feelings of depression or anxiety. She cautioned that these findings need careful interpretation, particularly where consumption may be used to cope with emotional difficulties rather than being accompanied by other ways of managing stress.
Hinger stressed that substance use does not automatically amount to addiction. Assessing whether consumption is becoming problematic requires consideration of its frequency, quantity and motivation. Nevertheless, consumption can cause harm to an individual’s health, relationships or everyday functioning before a clinical diagnosis of addiction is made. She also highlighted situations in which substance use should be avoided, including pregnancy, driving and operating machinery.
The discussion extended to screens and social media. Hinger said their growing place in daily life raises concerns for adults as well as children and teenagers. She supports a social-media ban for children and young people as a youth-protection measure, while also calling for greater responsibility and more checks by platform operators. She emphasised that restrictions alone would not be sufficient: education and guidance are also needed to help young people develop healthier digital habits.
These issues are due to feature in CNAPA’s resilience forum on Friday as part of Mental Health Weeks. For people worried about a relative or friend, Hinger advised raising specific behaviours that cause concern rather than attempting to diagnose the person. Listening respectfully, maintaining contact and offering help, including support from specialist services where necessary, are important steps, she said.
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