Narcologist, psychiatrist and politician Jānis Strazdiņš passes away

The family has announced that Jānis Strazdiņš, a physician, psychiatrist, narcologist and politician, passed away on 2 August 2026. The mourning message says he was an outstanding specialist who devoted his life to people and Latvia.

Strazdiņš was born in Riga on 29 September 1941. His professional career spanned several decades. From 1966 to 1974 he was the chief physician at Straupe Narcology Hospital. From 1975 to 1990 he served as the chief narcologist of the Ministry of Health of the Latvian SSR, and from 1991 to 1993 he was the chief freelance narcologist of the Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia.

In 1998, Strazdiņš founded the Latvian Narcology Service. He was elected as a deputy in several Saeima convocations and also worked at Riga City Council. In 1994, he was awarded the title of honorary member of the Latvian Association of Medical Workers, and in 1995 he received the Order of the Three Stars, fifth class. Through his work in medicine and politics, Strazdiņš has left a lasting contribution to Latvian society.