Drug abuse experts urge the British government to change its policy on the use of illegal substances because of the high risk of deaths from drug poisoning.
The Office for National Statistics released data showing the number of people who died as a result of drug poisoning has reached its highest level ever recorded. There were 5,448 deaths in 2023, an 11 per cent increase from 2022, the previous record year, and nearly half of those deaths were opioid-related. The North East as a whole has the highest rate of drug-related deaths of any region in England and Wales, according to last week’s figures.
The recent increase in opioid-related deaths is due in part to the increased prevalence of synthetic opioids, which have become more common on the streets. Synthetic opioids are much stronger than regular opioids, with an increased risk of overdose, and have been found in heroin, amphetamines, and in vapes.
George Charlton, a Durham-based counsellor who works to support drug addicts, said that despite evidence that a sympathetic approach to drug use has worked overseas, the UK is still struggling. As a former addict, he calls for the removal of the stigmatisation of drug users because it makes it harder for them to get professional help.
Fiona Measham, founder of The Loop, a national drug testing organisation, said the number of deaths will continue to rise until open drug testing becomes more normalised. She said the organisation had opened England’s first regular drug testing service in Bristol, with the result that the positive effects seen there could be adopted in other cities.
“Drug-related deaths are tragically at record highs and this new government is committed to gripping this problem,” said a Labour spokesperson, adding the government will continue to work with health, police and other public services to reduce drug use.
