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New data from the Office of National Statistics has shone a light on 2023 deaths linked to drug poisoning and misuse, showing a rise in cases across the country. Worryingly, the figures have revealed that the rate of drug-poisoning deaths has doubled since 2012 from a rate of 46.5 deaths per million to 93.
0 per million in 2023. The death rate has risen from 84.4 deaths per million (4,907 deaths in 2022) to 93.
0 deaths per million people (5,448 deaths in 2023). Data categorised borough-by-borough has revealed the number of drug-related deaths recorded across London. The data from 2023 shows that Southwark had the largest number of recorded drug poisoning-related deaths across inner London boroughs at 22 deaths.
The number has risen from 13 in 2016, falling to just seven recorded deaths in 2021 before rising again. Haringey had the next highest figure of 21 recorded deaths in 2023, with Hackney coming in third with 20. According to the ONS data, the City of London had zero recorded deaths in 2023.
Kensington and Chelsea recorded five deaths and Westminster eight. For the outer London boroughs, ONS data says that Ealing had the highest number of drug poisoning-related deaths in 2023 with 18 recorded. Brent and Bromley tied second with 14 deaths each.
Harrow's figures show just three records of fatal drug poisoning in 2023, with Richmond upon Thames recording four deaths and Bexley noting five. READ MORE: Every London Underground station and line closed this weekend - Full list Green Party London Assembly Member Zoë Garbett said: “Every drug death is preventable. “Deaths are still rising, drugs are still readily available, and the supply is more toxic and likely to get worse.
“I know [the] latest death numbers can be abstract, but this data shows more lives ruined, more families destroyed, and more communities ravaged by an epidemic that is entirely within our control.”.
