Deaths relating to drug misuse in Wales rises by 84% in decade

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Deaths relating to drug misuse in Wales has seen an 84% increase in the last ten years.

According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the rates in England and Wales are the highest they have been since records began more than a quarter of a century ago.

Wales followed the North East with the next biggest increase in the rate of drug misuse over the last ten years with an 84% increase.

According to the statistics, there were 39.2 deaths per million in 2008 in Wales, which have since increased to 72.0.

Public Health Wales said deaths involving cocaine have increased dramatically - 15 percent of drug deaths compared with 4 percent a decade a go.

They said using drugs and alcohol simultaneously is also common practice and can "significantly increases the risk of a fatal overdose."

They said the drug markets have changed a lot over the last few years, "both in the availability and range of drugs."

Public Health Wales said we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that these figures relate to real people and "the impact on their families and partners and friends may be devastating."

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Wales added that the figures show the issue is at "crisis point".

London and the South West saw the smallest change in this period.

Ben Humberstone, deputy director for health analysis and life events at the ONS, said:

"The number of deaths from drug use in 2018 was the highest since our records began in 1993. We have also seen the biggest year-on-year percentage increase.

"Previously, this had been linked to a rise in deaths related to opiates like heroin and morphine, but last year there were also increases in deaths across a wider variety of substances including cocaine and what had been known as 'legal highs'.

"We produce these figures to help inform decision makers working towards protecting those at risk of dying from drug poisoning."

Some charities offering support in Wales:

  • Recovery Cymru: 02920 227 019

  • DACW: 01492 872017

  • Kaleidoscope: 01633 811950