Menu
31/08/2012
Heroin And Morphine Drug Deaths Fall
Heroin and morphine are still the substances most commonly involved in drug poisoning deaths, according to The Office for National Statistics.
In 2011 there was a 25 per cent drop in fatalities, with 596 deaths.
The fall in deaths may be due to shortages in the availability of the illegal drug heroin in the UK, which according to the Serious Organised Crime Agency began in 2010 and continued in some areas in 2011/12.
In total there were 1,772 male and 880 female drug poisoning deaths in 2011, a decrease of 6 per cent on 2010 for males, but a 3 per cent increase for females.
ONS revealed this in a bulletin which reports the number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales in 2011. These deaths involve a broad spectrum of substances, including legal and illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines.
The mortality rate from drug misuse (involving illegal drugs) was significantly higher in males than in females (43.4 and 14.4 deaths per million population for males and females respectively in 2011). The British Crime Survey (Home Office, 2011) showed that men were more than twice as likely as women to have used illicit drugs in the last year, which may explain the higher mortality rate from drug misuse in males.
In both males and females the largest proportion of drug-related deaths were from accidental poisonings (62 per cent in males and 51 per cent in females). In females just under half of all drug poisoning deaths were classified as suicides, increasing by 7 per cent from 391 deaths in 2010 to 418 deaths in 2011. In males a third were suicides, rising from 482 to 576 deaths between 2010 and 2011, a 20 per cent increase and the highest number since 2005.
(GK)
In 2011 there was a 25 per cent drop in fatalities, with 596 deaths.
The fall in deaths may be due to shortages in the availability of the illegal drug heroin in the UK, which according to the Serious Organised Crime Agency began in 2010 and continued in some areas in 2011/12.
In total there were 1,772 male and 880 female drug poisoning deaths in 2011, a decrease of 6 per cent on 2010 for males, but a 3 per cent increase for females.
ONS revealed this in a bulletin which reports the number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales in 2011. These deaths involve a broad spectrum of substances, including legal and illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines.
The mortality rate from drug misuse (involving illegal drugs) was significantly higher in males than in females (43.4 and 14.4 deaths per million population for males and females respectively in 2011). The British Crime Survey (Home Office, 2011) showed that men were more than twice as likely as women to have used illicit drugs in the last year, which may explain the higher mortality rate from drug misuse in males.
In both males and females the largest proportion of drug-related deaths were from accidental poisonings (62 per cent in males and 51 per cent in females). In females just under half of all drug poisoning deaths were classified as suicides, increasing by 7 per cent from 391 deaths in 2010 to 418 deaths in 2011. In males a third were suicides, rising from 482 to 576 deaths between 2010 and 2011, a 20 per cent increase and the highest number since 2005.
(GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 September 2015
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
17 October 2003
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
05 September 2014
One In Five Child Deaths Preventable, Research Reveals
One in five child deaths in England is preventable, according to research by the University of Warwick. Much more could be done to cut future deaths, a new three-part series on child deaths in high-income countries, published in The Lancet, has revealed.
One In Five Child Deaths Preventable, Research Reveals
One in five child deaths in England is preventable, according to research by the University of Warwick. Much more could be done to cut future deaths, a new three-part series on child deaths in high-income countries, published in The Lancet, has revealed.
08 January 2004
Nine US soldiers killed in helicopter crash
Nine US soldiers have been killed after their Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Iraq, it has been reported today. It is not yet clear whether the crash was the result of a technical difficulty or gunfire. The crash claimed the lives of all those on board.
Nine US soldiers killed in helicopter crash
Nine US soldiers have been killed after their Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Iraq, it has been reported today. It is not yet clear whether the crash was the result of a technical difficulty or gunfire. The crash claimed the lives of all those on board.
28 November 2005
Children ‘as young as 14’ used as drug runners
Children as young as 14 are being recruited to help sell drugs in areas of Britain, a charity report has claimed. The report, by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, found that the numbers of young people becoming involved in the drugs trade was increasing.
Children ‘as young as 14’ used as drug runners
Children as young as 14 are being recruited to help sell drugs in areas of Britain, a charity report has claimed. The report, by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, found that the numbers of young people becoming involved in the drugs trade was increasing.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
