Today’s statistics show yet another rise in drug-related deaths, marking the continuation of a tragic trend that has seen deaths increase every year since 2012.
Today's announcement is a devastating reminder of the scale of the challenges we face and confirms what we've been seeing in Change Grow Live services. Over half of all drug-related deaths now involve more than one drug and the 30% increase in cocaine-related deaths we saw in 2022-23 was not an anomaly. The situation is also being exacerbated by synthetic opioids, with nitazenes deaths four times higher than 2023, confirming the harms caused by these drugs.
Despite the scale and complexity of what we're seeing and the year-on-year rise in drug-related deaths, drug treatment and recovery were not referenced in the Government’s recent 10-Year Health Plan. And with a drug treatment funding freeze and no renewed national strategy, we cannot hope to address these worrying trends.
At Change Grow Live we remain focused on seeing more people sooner and will continue to do everything we can to prevent further deaths, but drug use doesn't happen in isolation. It’s linked to housing instability, poverty, poor mental health, and an overwhelmed justice system.
Tackling these broader issues will take time, but without urgent action now, drug-related deaths will continue on the same trajectory, with more lives lost, more families shattered, and more communities left behind.
- Mark Moody, Chief Executive, Change Grow Live