Drug deaths soar in England and Wales to record levels as stats show addiction crisis

Drug deaths in England and Wales have rocketed to record levels, prompting demands that the Tory Government reverses
catastrophic cuts in services.

New figures have made it clear that aspects of the crisis being felt most acutely in Scotland are also causing misery south of the Border.

The Daily Record has the use of drugs while maintaining a hard line on drug dealers and ensuring more addicts are diverted into treatment.

James Nicholls, chief executive of Transform Drug Policy Foundation, said: “The record drug-related deaths in England and Wales demonstrate that the public health crisis we face is not limited to Scotland.

“The kind of urgent action that many in Scotland have been calling for – including decriminalisation and safer consumption facilities – needs to be considered across the UK. With more than 10 people dying every day, reform is more urgent than ever.”

Nicholls added: “Current policy is not protecting people or their communities; instead it is blocking measures we know can save lives, while decimating treatment funding.”

Drug-related deaths in England and Wales are the highest since records began more than 25 years ago, with 4359 recorded last year. The Office for National Statistics study also reveals the highest annual increase since records began, up 16 per cent (603 deaths) from 2017.

In Scotland the numbers are more severe, with the 1187 deaths representing a rate of well over double that of England and Wales. Scotland’s death rate rocketed by 27 per cent last year.

More than half of the England and Wales deaths involved an opiate (2208 deaths) like heroin or methadone.

Deaths involving cocaine doubled over the three years to 2018.

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “It’s clear we are facing an addiction crisis – yet Boris Johnson is pushing ahead with deep cuts to substance misuse and addiction treatment budgets.

“The Government’s austerity agenda and short-sightedness in this area is failing some of the most vulnerable in society. Ministers must reverse cuts to addiction services and start treating this issue as the public health emergency it is.”