The ONS said the overall rising trend has been driven primarily by opiates, but also involves other substances such as cocaine
Charities have criticised the Government over a lack of action on drug deaths across England and Wales – which have reached another record high – with experts calling the latest figures an"utter disgrace".
The figures cover drug abuse and dependence, fatal accidents, suicides and complications involving controlled and non-controlled drugs, prescription and over-the-counter medications. Niamh Eastwood, executive director of Release, the national centre for drugs expertise, said every drug-related death is avoidable."Drug deaths are a public health emergency across the UK that can and must be adequately addressed. Government inaction is a political choice."
He said: “If these were cancer deaths increasing at this rate, we would expect action at a certain pace that I believe we should expect the same for persons with addiction."
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