Nearly 50 people died as a result of drug poisoning in Bristol last year. Data from the ONS showed that, since between 2021 and 2023, drug poisoning caused 153 deaths in the city; of these, 117 were men and 46 were women.
Across the country, soaring deaths among cocaine users have fuelled a spike in drug poisoning fatalities – with more deaths last year than ever before. Drug addiction treatment experts have now warned the nation could be on the cusp of “the biggest drug-related crisis” it has ever seen.
It comes as new government figures show there were 5,448 deaths caused by drug poisoning in England and Wales in 2023, an 11% rise from 4,907 deaths the previous year and the highest drug death toll ever recorded. Deaths due to cocaine use have rocketed, with 1,118 deaths involving cocaine last year, 31% higher than in 2022 (857 deaths) and nearly ten times higher than in 2011 (112 deaths).
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Amphetamines – stimulants found in the newly popular “pink cocaine” – caused 228 deaths last year, a 20% rise. There have also been rises in deaths due to antipsychotics, antidepressants, and Nitazenes – new synthetic opioids made in labs that mimic the effects of Heroin but are up to 100 times stronger.
Last year there were more deaths caused by drug poisoning in Birmingham than any other council area (152), followed by Manchester (86), and Leeds (82). But when compared to the population size and age demographics, drug poisoning deaths are most likely in Blackpool.
In the last three years, there have been 126 deaths caused by drug poisoning in the popular seaside town, including 48 last year. That’s the equivalent of 32 deaths for every 100,000 of the population, the highest rate in England and Wales.
You can check the number and rate of drug poisoning deaths where you live using our interactive map
Lee Fernandes, lead therapist at the UK Drug Treatment Centres (UKAT) Group, said: “An 11% annual rise in the number of vulnerable people losing their lives to drugs is a travesty. Enough is enough now, as a country we need to come together and step up and take real action to flatten this ever-rising curve
“Most concerning to us is the drastic rise in deaths due to substances that are, by definition, meant to keep people alive and live better lives. Drugs that are there to help with mental health conditions, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants are in fact causing more deaths than ever before.
“Unless the government and police get a real grip on this situation we are undoubtedly on the edge of the biggest drug-related crisis this country will have ever seen.”
Men were around twice as likely to die as a result of drug poisoning than women. Around two-thirds of drug poisoning deaths last year were due to drug misuse. This was particularly elevated among people born in the 1970s, often referred to as “Generation X”, with the highest rate in those aged 40 to 49.