Drug poisoning deaths increase

Male deaths from drug poisoning are at their highest level for five years, according to new data released today from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

There were 1,914 male deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales in 2007, which is the highest recorded number since 2002. This compares with 1,782 deaths in 2006 and represents a rise of 7% over just one year.

By contrast, the number of female deaths was at its lowest recorded annual number since the ONS records began in 1993.

Deaths from heroin and morphine increased to 829 and the number of deaths from cocaine increased to 196.

This continues a long-term upward trend in deaths from the drug since records began.

Deaths from antidepressants, paracetamol and aspirin were all at there lowest rates since 1993.