Drug-related deaths reach record levels

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that drug-related deaths last year reached their highest level since records began, with 4,359 people dying from drug poisoning in England and Wales in 2018 – a 16% increase on the previous year.

Deaths in the North East are higher than any other region. Studies have shown that councils have responded to Government cuts by reducing spending on drug treatment services by about 27% since 2015/16, and by more than 50% in some areas.

Also see report in The Guardian