New figures reveal a devastating increase in drug-poisoning fatalities, with cocaine-related deaths soaring by 30%, raising urgent calls for government action.

Drug poisoning deaths in England and Wales have reached a staggering high, marking the worst figures seen in 30 years. According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), fatalities related to drug use surged to 5,448 in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year. Alarmingly, deaths involving cocaine alone have risen by 30%, accounting for over 1,100 of these tragic losses—a nearly tenfold increase compared to a decade ago.

The ONS report highlights that men from “Generation X,” particularly those aged 40 to 49, represent the highest rates of drug-related deaths. The government has acknowledged the severity of the crisis, describing the soaring drug-related fatalities as “tragically at record highs.”

Charity Change Grow Live, which provides treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, expressed deep concern over the escalating death toll. They attributed the rise to a combination of mental health issues, financial hardships, systemic inequalities, and the emergence of potent synthetic drugs. In light of these findings, the charity has called for increased public health funding in the upcoming Budget on 30 October and stressed the necessity for harm reduction services to target those most at risk.

The data reveals that nearly half of all drug-poisoning deaths involved opiates, such as heroin. Meanwhile, cocaine-related fatalities have continued to rise for the 12th consecutive year. The North East has reported the highest rate of drug poisoning deaths for the 11th year running, with the rate three times greater than in London, which recorded the lowest figures.

Experts have raised alarms that the situation could deteriorate further as more individuals experiment with powerful synthetic opioids like nitazenes. This class of drugs is significantly stronger than heroin, with ONS statistics indicating a rise in nitazene-related deaths, from 38 in 2022 to 52 in 2023.

Martin Powell, from the charity Transform, which advocates for the legal regulation of drugs, suggested that the increase in cocaine fatalities may be linked to rising purity levels. As cocaine becomes purer, users might consume it more frequently and in combination with other substances, leading to a higher risk of overdose. This trend could be an unintended consequence of the government’s crackdown on cutting agents, such as benzocaine, used to adulterate drugs.

In a statement, Andrew Gwynne, the minister for public health and prevention, affirmed the government’s commitment to collaborate with health, policing, and public services to reduce drug use and create a fairer society. However, the persistent rise in drug-related fatalities has left many families devastated, including Vicky Unwin, whose daughter Louise drowned in 2011 after a ketamine overdose. Vicky highlighted the lack of awareness among young people about drug purity, arguing that educational initiatives on drug safety should be integrated into school curriculums.

Vicky advocates for more supervised consumption facilities, like the Safer Drugs Consumption Facility in Glasgow, where individuals can use drugs under clinical supervision to mitigate risks.

Despite increasing calls for reform, the previous Conservative government remained steadfast against decriminalising drugs, citing the dangers posed by organised crime. They outlined a ten-year drug strategy focusing on treatment and recovery while tackling the supply of illegal drugs.

With the alarming rise in drug-related deaths, the demand for comprehensive strategies addressing both prevention and treatment has never been more urgent.