This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37315941
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Drug-related deaths reach record levels in England and Wales | Drug-related deaths reach record levels in England and Wales |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached record levels last year, figures from the Office for National Statistics show. | The number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached record levels last year, figures from the Office for National Statistics show. |
| Fatalities involving heroin and cocaine were both at their highest since comparable records began in 1993. | Fatalities involving heroin and cocaine were both at their highest since comparable records began in 1993. |
| The increasing purity of substances is believed to be a possible factor behind the rise in deaths. | The increasing purity of substances is believed to be a possible factor behind the rise in deaths. |
| ONS researcher Vanessa Fearn said that age was another cause for the increase, particularly with older heroin users. | ONS researcher Vanessa Fearn said that age was another cause for the increase, particularly with older heroin users. |
| Overall, 3,674 drug poisoning deaths involving legal and illegal substances were registered in 2015. Of these, 2,479 involved illegal drugs only. | Overall, 3,674 drug poisoning deaths involving legal and illegal substances were registered in 2015. Of these, 2,479 involved illegal drugs only. |
| The ONS said the mortality rate from drug misuse was the highest ever recorded, at 43.8 deaths per million population. | The ONS said the mortality rate from drug misuse was the highest ever recorded, at 43.8 deaths per million population. |
| Older users | |
| Ms Fearn said people receiving treatment for drug abuse were "older than they used to be". | |
| She added: "Deaths involving heroin and morphine have more than doubled since 2012, partly driven by a rise in heroin purity and availability over the last three years. | |
| "Age is also a factor in the record levels of drug deaths, as heroin users are getting older and they often have other conditions, such as lung disease and hepatitis, that make them particularly vulnerable." | "Age is also a factor in the record levels of drug deaths, as heroin users are getting older and they often have other conditions, such as lung disease and hepatitis, that make them particularly vulnerable." |
| The death rate among people aged 30-39 is now at a record high, at 98.4 deaths per million population. | |
| And deaths in the 40-49 bracket are also at a record high, with 95.1 deaths per million. | |
| Ms Fearn also said 2014 was a record year for heroin production globally, which might also be impacting on the current availability of heroin. |