Overview
- President Sergio Mattarella called for a “choral and constant” response to the “tragedy of dependencies,” as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged institutions to act in concert.
- The government said public investment has nearly doubled to about €165 million from 2024 to 2025 and promoted a national prevention plan targeting illegal fentanyl and synthetic opioids.
- The 2025 report to Parliament highlights record deaths from acute cocaine intoxications, indicates cocaine causes roughly 35% of acute drug-related hospitalizations, and notes persistent alcohol and non-prescription psychopharmaceutical use.
- A papal videomessage and speakers spotlighted behavioral addictions among youth, with data showing 57% of students tried gambling, 17% display problematic videogame use, 13% gamble online, and 47% report cyberbullying.
- Regional figures reported services following about 130,000 people with high recidivism, while activists from Meglio Legale and Più Europa staged a blocked flash mob outside the venue.