The Office for National Statistics published new data on drug-related deaths in England & Wales for 2021. It showed that 4,859 people died last year from drug poisoning, compared to 4,561 in 2020. The number of drug-related deaths has increased by 85% since 2012, marking the ninth consecutive year of an increase in drug-related deaths.
A week ago, the same figures for Scotland were released. They showed that 1,330 people had died due to drug overdoses in 2021.
These figures would put Great Britain, one of Europe’s largest economies, right at the top of a ‘list of shame’ when it comes to drug-related deaths.
Nearly half of all deaths in England and Wales were due to opiates (2219) with cocaine-related deaths increasing by more than 8% to 840. These figures showed that drug-related deaths were twice as common in males than in females. With regards to age the highest number of deaths came from people who were born in the 1970’s (age groups 45-49, and 40-44).
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The government has promised more investment in drug treatment services, following the publication of their drugs strategy ‘From Harm To Hope’ last year to the tune of £780m over the next three years.
Many local authorities that commission drug services will be concerned about the uncertainty surrounding long-term funding. This investment follows a decade-long period of cuts to drug treatment services. It is unlikely to bring funding back up to 2010, when the number of deaths was much lower.
Decades of rhetoric from policy makers about who is soft and hard on drug policy hasn’t saved lives. It’s merely peddled stigma and pushed some of the most vulnerable people in our society to the fringes. It’s those who need support, access to drug treatment services, and compassion extended.
Charlie Mack, Chief Executive of social justice charity Cranstoun, whose drug treatment services all see rates below the national average said: “These figures demonstrate the need for more measures to be taken to reduce this tragic figure.
“But these are not figures, these are people’s lives. People who have loved ones and friends that will never see them again. It is stopping that loss which drives us.”
Some people who abuse drugs may not have access to any other health services if they cannot access community treatment services. These services are often commissioned by local councils. If the country is to reverse the sad trend of rising drug-related deaths, it is essential to invest in treatment and make sure that support is provided to all who are in need.
There are many things that can be done with existing budgets to help people who use drugs, or at higher risk of death, and make earlier interventions. This could reduce the number of deaths.
Diversionary schemes (diverting people from criminal outcomes for possession offenses), more training, access to harm reduction instruments (like the lifesaving opioid antidote Naloxone), and embedding drug use as a medical issue first and foremost, rather than a criminal one are some of the options.
It is also important to look at measures that have reversed drug-related deaths elsewhere in the world as a way to reduce death and prevent harm. There are more than 200 overdose prevention centres in many countries, including the USA, Germany, Switzerland, and Germany. They have been proven to be effective in preventing drug-related deaths.
These safe spaces, where people can go to get drugs, have witnessed millions of injections all over the world, with clean equipment, supervision, and support should they need it. No one has ever lost their lives in one.
The Scottish Government has made it clear that they intend to open one of these sites. However, they claim that the UK needs to make legislative changes to allow them to operate an OPC.
Paul Sweeney, Labour’s MSP, recently introduced a bill in the Scottish Parliament to establish Overdose Prevention Centres in the country. He said:
“The efficacy of Overdose Prevention Centres is indisputable – we just need to look at international examples, and the data from the unofficial Glasgow pilot to see how effective they are at saving lives. Over 900 injections were administered in Glasgow. We reversed 9 overdoses and saved eight lives.
“The fact of the matter is that the war on drugs has failed. We make people criminal for addiction issues that are rooted in trauma, poverty, or deprivation. And, sadly, in many cases, it leads to a completely preventable death from a drug-related cause.
“That’s why I have introduced a Bill to the Scottish Parliament that seeks to license OPCs, because we know that they not only save lives but are often the first step towards recovery.”
There is still a lot of work to be done if the country wants to end drug-related deaths. However, OPCs will be crucial in helping to reduce the number of deaths from drugs each year.
This, together with more unified services, greater outreach, interventions and support for people into local drugs support services and ensuring that everyone has access to a variety of treatment options, is how this crisis must be addressed. Britain is currently in a grave drug death crisis. Funding is continuing to dry up because of a severe and worsening costs of living crisis. This will affect the poorest. We must take immediate action to end our drug shame.
Jamie Scott is Head of Communications at Social Justice charity Cranstoun. Tweets @JScott1996
