Drug related deaths - Government needs to "approach problem with more urgency"

• Deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in 2024 are higher than the rate recorded in 2023

• Nitazenes related deaths are four times higher than in the previous year

• Cocaine related deaths have risen for the 13th consecutive year

• The highest rate of drug misuse deaths was found among those aged 40 to 49 years

• Rates of drug poisoning deaths have a marked north-south divide

Mike Trace, CEO of the Forward Trust and former government Drug Czar, said that "these statistics under-report the full picture, and the government needs to approach this problem – thousands of people dying young – with much more urgency.

"The government rightly has a published objective to reduce drug related deaths, but these negative trends have been clear for some time.

"This raises concerns about the impact on the government's approach to tackling addiction - we must not be behind the curve on our response.

“The publication of these statistics come at a time when we are seeing more dangerous drugs entering supply chains - this catastrophic public health crisis is not making the headlines it should be.”

Drug related deaths claim more than 3 times the number of young lives than traffic fatalities, but the issue still receives little political attention or funding in England and Wales. The Scottish Government has at least pursued a mission to bring down these death rates, but Westminster remains relatively silent on the issue.

The Independent - Drug overdose deaths soar to 30-year high with four-fold increase in lives lost to super-strength nitazenes

For media enquiries, please contact Fiona.mcdonald@forwardtrust.org.uk and 07485315614.

Listen to Mike's latest policy update - 'Drug consumption rooms - helpful or harmful?' on Soundcloud.

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