Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSLib Dems call for tougher stance as cocaine deaths rise
Figures have revealed the number of drug users dying after taking a cocaine overdose has hit a record high.
There were 235 deaths linked to cocaine abuse in England and Wales last year - an increase of 20%, according to official statistics.
The number of deaths linked to all illegal drugs in 2008 was also up to an eight-year high, with an 8% rise to 1,738 overdose deaths.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb described the figures as “horrifying”.
He said: “The toll of damage from drugs is immense and the cost to the NHS is enormous. The Government’s punitive policies and heavy-handed rhetoric on drugs are failing.
“Ministers must make sure that schools and public services work together to make sure that the message gets out that drugs kill.
“Ministers have been very good at talking tough when it comes to drugs, but this isn’t working. They must urgently re-think their strategy before even more lives are lost.”
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Readers' comments (1)
Anonymous | 28-Aug-2009 9:19 am
Yes but what about all the deaths as a result of alcohol consumption ? There is always a demand for more drug treatment legislation etc. The money spent on drug treatment far exeeds that of alcohol and National Treatment Agency targets are driven by drug treatment only.
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