5,448 drug-related deaths were registered in 2023, the highest number since records began.
The ONS published its annual report on drug poisoning in England and Wales on the 23rd of October 2024, which revealed that there were 5,448 drug-related deaths in 2023 (93.0 per million people). This is 11% higher than the 2022 statistics (4,907 deaths, 84.4 per million people). Of the 5,448 registered drug poisoning deaths in 2023, 3,618 were identified as being caused by drug misuse.
In line with figures from the previous decade, the North East displayed the highest rate of drug-related deaths compared to the other regions in England and Wales, registering 174.3 deaths per million people relating to drug poisoning and 108.5 per million people relating to drug misuse. The North East has had the highest rate of drug poisoning-related deaths for 11 consecutive years.
Statistics also highlighted the continuation of the disproportionate effect of drug-related deaths among males, with 3,645 deaths recorded in males compared to 1,803 among females. 'Generation X' (people born in the 1970s) continued to experience the highest rate of drug-related deaths.
For deaths registered in 2023, a total of 2,551 drug-poisoning deaths involved opiates; this was 12.8% higher than in 2022 (2,261 deaths). There were 1,118 deaths involving cocaine registered in 2023, which was 30.5% higher than the previous year (857 deaths) and nearly ten times higher than in 2011 (112 deaths).
As of 19 September 2024, OHID and the NCA confirmed through laboratory testing that 179 deaths involving one or more nitazenes occurred between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024. Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that are more potent than fentanyl. There has been a growing concern about their presence in the UK drug market since 2023.
NHS APA Chair, Danny Hames, commented on the statistics, saying:
There is a profound disappointment and sadness that despite the efforts of health, policing, treatment providers and wider public services have been unable to prevent the significant loss that individuals, families and communities experience year on year.
Progress has been further hindered by public policy that have widened inequalities and health outcomes alongside changes in drug markets and use. Ultimately the reasons for this loss is complex, and the ability of all those involved to change this vary – there are no easy solutions.
However, part of the solution does lie in us as public services, policy makers and government, to work together across organisational boundaries to share knowledge, information and expertise. If we collaborate effectively as a system we do have the power to prevent many of these deaths.
It is our shared responsibility to fulfil this role in the face of such tragic loss.
The NHS APA extends their heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all those affected by drug-related deaths in 2023 and previous years and is committed to ending the widespread stigma against people with addiction. You can learn more about our national #StigmaKills campaign here.