Drug-Related Deaths Reach Record Levels In England, Wales

MEP: The number of drug-related deaths in the UK’s England and Wales have risen to an all-time high last year, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.

Overall, 3,674 drug poisoning deaths involving legal and illegal substances were registered in 2015, up from 3,346 in 2014, according to ONS.

Blackpool has comfortably had the highest rate of drug misuse deaths nationally over the past three years with 76 deaths at an average of 19 per 100,000 residents per year between 2013 and 2015.

The rise in deaths comes as the number of people using illegal drugs has dropped to a historic low, according to recent crime survey data. Critics say zero-tolerance drugs policies and cuts to addiction services have exacerbated the problem.

Fatalities involving heroin and cocaine were both at their highest since comparable records began in 1993.

ONS researcher Vanessa Fearn said that age was another cause for the increase, particularly with older heroin users.

“Deaths involving heroin and morphine have more than doubled since 2012, partly driven by a rise in heroin purity and availability over the last three years,” Fearn added.

The record death toll has led to British Prime Minister Theresa May facing an onslaught of condemnation over the policies she pursued while Home Secretary.