Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics reveal the rise in drug-related deaths in England and Wales shows no signs of abating: there were 3,674 deaths in 2015, up 8.5% on the previous year, and following rises of 17% in 2014 and 21% in 2013. The mortality rate from drug misuse is now the highest since comparable records began in 1993, at 65.1 per million population.

Similar trends have been observed in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the UK as a whole has a drug-related mortality rate almost three times greater than the European average.

Although much of the rise is accounted for by heroin-related deaths (which have doubled in the last three years), particularly in the 30-49 age group, deaths have also increased across a wide range of drug types and age groups. A national inquiry conducted by Public Health England (PHE) and the Local Government Association (LGA), also published today, acknowledges the so-called ‘cohort effect’ of older, increasingly vulnerable heroin users cannot completely explain the rise in deaths, and suggests that there is still a failure to engage the most vulnerable drug users with treatment services.

Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive, RSPH, said: “What we have seen today is the latest instalment of a trend that has become increasingly clear over the past few years. While overall drug use has continued to steadily fall, the rate of health harm resulting from drug use, particularly deaths, has risen dramatically – and it is by this harm that we must judge the success or failure of drug policy.

“The rise in deaths shows the most vulnerable users continue to be stigmatised and pushed to the margins of society, rather than being engaged with the treatment services they need. The decriminalisation of drug use could greatly help break down these barriers, increase treatment take-up, and save lives. Alongside this, funding must be protected to ensure consistent access to evidence-based drug treatment and harm reduction services across the UK, and we welcome PHE’s report promoting best practice in this area.”

RSPH published a landmark drugs policy report, Taking a New Line on Drugs, in June 2016, calling for the decriminalisation of personal possession and use of drugs and a shift of focus to a public health approach. Read the report here.