Drug-related deaths across England and Wales have soared to their highest level since records began in 1993.
A total of 4,859 people died from drug poisoning last year, according to the new figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Experts say its rising popularity is due to increases in the purity of cocaine sold on the streets while prices have remained steady or fallen. But it has also been fuelled by the psychological effects of Covid restrictions, according to Mike Trance, chief executive of the Forward Trust. Mr Trance also criticised ‘tough language’ from public figures about drug users, adding: ‘That message is absolutely the opposite of what we should be saying to people who are struggling with drug addiction.‘We should be saying that society cares about you. Society offers help. And, you know, if you reach out for that help, then you can turn your life around and make things better.’
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