London has recorded its highest number of drug poisoning deaths since records began more than three decades ago, new figures show.
Some 662 people in the capital died after taking drugs in 2024, a 32% rise compared with the previous year when 500 deaths were reported.
The city saw the largest increase in England and Wales, according to data from the Office of National Statistics.
Both inner and outer London boroughs had spikes in the number of deaths linked to illicit substances.
Camden recorded the highest number, with deaths rising from 16 in 2023 to 36 last year.
Islington saw 35 drug-linked deaths in 2024, compared to 17 the previous year. Enfield had the biggest increase overall, with deaths rising from 11 to 33.
Westminster also saw a significant increase in people losing their lives, from 10 in 2023 to 26 last year.
Drug deaths in London are now more than twice the rate of 2012, which was the lowest number recorded at 283, the data shows.
The number of deaths in each London borough can be viewed in the interactive map below.
Zaheen Ahmed, Director of Therapy at addiction treatment provider UKAT, described the figures as a “national tragedy”.
“In the heart of our nation’s capital, drug-related deaths have surged by a staggering one-third in just a single year, he said.
“This isn’t just a statistic - it’s a national tragedy. Every number represents a life stolen too soon: a parent, a child, a neighbour, a colleague, a friend. Behind every figure is heartbreak that didn’t need to happen.
“Enough is enough. The curve is climbing, and so too is the human cost. This crisis will not fix itself. We need urgent, coordinated action now.”
It comes after warnings were issued by police, nightclubs and Ealing council earlier this year after two people died from drug overdoses linked to highly potent synthetic opioids.
A 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman died in Southall in May.
"This is following reports that the individuals allegedly passed away after taking an illicit substance in the form of a green pill," the Metropolitan Police said.
Drug testing charity The Loop had said the tablets contained synthetic opioids called Nitazenes, which can be "50 to 500 times stronger than heroin".
Ealing council issued a statement describing the green pills as having a number 80 on one face and an "OP" on the other.
