New figures reveal a significant increase in drug-related deaths in Brighton and Hove last year. The data comes as England and Wales also experienced a record high in drug deaths, prompting calls from health and social care provider Turning Point for additional investment in addiction services. According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 47 drug poisoning deaths in Brighton and Hove in 2022, up from 37 the previous year. These statistics encompass deaths resulting from drug abuse and dependence, fatal accidents, suicides, and complications involving various controlled and non-controlled substances, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.
The total number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached 4,907 in 2022, the highest level since records began in 1993. Turning Point’s chief operating officer, Clare Taylor, described the high number of deaths as a tragedy, emphasizing that they are preventable. Taylor called for increased treatment places and workforce growth in the addiction sector but acknowledged that building world-class drug and alcohol treatment services will take time.
Out of the total drug-related deaths nationwide, 3,127 were attributed to misuse, indicating the involvement of illegal drugs or the consequences of drug abuse and dependence. In Brighton and Hove, 36 deaths were specifically identified as drug misuse. Opiates, such as heroin or morphine, were involved in 2,261 (46 percent) of the deaths, while 857 deaths were linked to cocaine—the eleventh consecutive year of rising numbers.
Lee Fernandes, from the UK Addiction Treatment Group, voiced concern over the figures, noting that long-term drug users are increasingly experimenting with other substances, which can heighten the risk of fatal overdoses. Fernandes stressed that such deaths are unnecessary and avoidable with appropriate support, empathy, and professional help.
According to the ONS data, the age-standardized mortality rate for drug-related deaths in Brighton and Hove stood at 15.4 per 100,000 people between 2020 and 2022. This figure exceeds the overall rate for England, which stands at 8.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
As drug-related deaths continue to rise, the need for comprehensive support and treatment services becomes increasingly urgent. While investment in addiction services has grown, efforts to combat the issue should be further prioritized. With the right resources and a steadfast commitment from the government, the tide of drug-related deaths can be turned, giving hope to communities affected by addiction.
