DRUG deaths in the South West have reached the highest number and highest annual increase since records began back in 1993, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has recently revealed. 

The situation reflects the national picture, which has seen the highest number and biggest increase in drug deaths in England and Wales.

Analysis of ONS data by addiction treatment experts UKAT shows that the South West has seen a 25% rise in drug poisoning deaths in the last five years, when at the same time, UKAT’s data reveals a £6-million cut to drug and alcohol treatment budgets in the same time period. 

The ONS report reveals that between 2016-18, drug poisoning deaths across the South West reached a record high of 1,157, up from 1,112 between 2015-17 and up from just 926 in 2013-15.

The percentage of men dying from drugs has risen by 25% since 2013 (from 627 to 789), and by 23% for women (from 299 to 368). 

Deaths in Bournemouth have risen from 94 to 114 in 5 years, a 21% increase and in Plymouth, drug deaths have rocketed by 64%; from 64 to 105 in just five years. Drug deaths in Torbay have almost doubled in just five years; from 26 to 51. 

Similarly across areas in Devon, drug poisoning deaths have risen from 131 in 2013-15 to 160 in 2016-18; a 22% rise.

Drug addiction experts at UKAT blame drastic and unnecessary cuts to drug and alcohol treatment services across the South West for the rise in deaths.

Eytan Alexander, Managing Director of UKAT (www.ukat.co.uk), commented: ‘These ONS figures are saddening but unsurprising. We’ve highlighted the drastic reduction in budget cuts to substance misuse services every year since 2013 and unfortunately, these figures now show the impact this is having on the most vulnerable people living across the South West.

‘It cannot be coincidence that as councils here slash drug and alcohol treatment budgets by £6-million over six years, the highest number of people on record lose their lives to drugs. We urge councils across the South West to invest in effective drug and alcohol services next year to avoid more loss of life. We must remember that these aren’t just numbers; they’re someone’s mother, father, child or friend and we can’t stress enough the value of investing in addiction treatment.’

The data provided by addiction treatment firm UKAT shows that of the South West councils that responded to UKAT’s freedom of information request, £35-million was being spent on helping those struggling with addiction in the community back in 2013.

This number has dropped to just £29-million this financial year, a 17% wipe-out of funds to substance misuse services which help those most vulnerable.