The big picture: The total number of drug-related deaths across England and Wales rose 11% to 5,448 in 2023 – the highest figure since records began in 1993. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that about half of all deaths involved opiates like heroin or morphine. Cocaine now accounts for a fifth of all drug-related fatalities.
How Suffolk compares: Suffolk bucked the trend with 47 deaths, a decline of 14.5% from the previous year, and 6.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Nine deaths were recorded in Ipswich, which also saw a decline from 14 in 2022.
This was slightly below the East of England (6.2) but higher than London, which had 5.5 deaths per 100,000 people. The highest rate was in the North East which recorded 15.7 deaths per 100,000 people – more than double the East of England.
Why it matters: The figures come as experts warn about:
The rise of synthetic opioids, which are hundreds of times stronger than heroin.
A doubling in cocaine-related deaths since 2011.
A clear regional divide, with the North East recording nearly three times more deaths per capita than London.
What they're saying: "We're on a cliff edge," says Lee Fernandes from UK Addiction Treatment Group. "When it comes to drug deaths, people's lives should not be dependent on a postcode lottery."
Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne said: "Drug-related deaths are tragically at record highs.
"We will work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use and build a fairer Britain for all."
The bottom line: While Suffolk's drug deaths have decreased, experts are calling for better availability of drug-checking services and greater access to Naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.
