Deaths from drug poisoning in England and Wales have reached their highest level in 30 years, led by a 30% increase in cocaine deaths.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said rates of drug-related deaths were still highest among men of “Generation X”, particularly those aged 40–49.

Cocaine-related deaths are nearly 10 times higher in 2023 than a decade ago, with more than 1,100 people losing their lives.

The government said drug-related deaths were “sadly at a record high.”

Change Grow Live, a charity that provides drug and alcohol treatment, said the “devastating loss of life” was “deeply tragic, unnecessary and unacceptable”.

It says “mental health issues, financial struggles, inequalities and dangerous synthetic drugs” are driving the increase.

Its statement urged the government to increase public health grant funding in the Budget on October 30, and said harm reduction services should reach those most at risk.

Overall, 5,448 deaths related to drug poisoning were recorded in 2023, an 11% increase from a year earlier, and the highest level since records began in 1993.

Less than half of the cases involved opioids such as heroin, while cocaine-related deaths increased for the 12th consecutive year.

The North East recorded the highest rate of drug poisoning deaths by region for the 11th year in a row, three times higher than London, which had the lowest rate.

Charities have warned that drug-related deaths could rise further as more people start using powerful synthetic opioids such as Nitazane, which are much stronger than heroin.

ONS data showed that 52 deaths linked to Nitazane were recorded in 2023, up from 38 the previous year.

Martin Powell of Transform, a charity that campaigns for legal regulation of drugs, suggested that the increase may be due to an increase in the purity of cocaine, leading users to take it more often with other substances.

He said this could be an unintended consequence of the government’s recent crackdown on cutting agents like benzocaine.

Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said the government would “work with partners in health, policing and wider public services to reduce drug use and create a fairer Britain for all”.

Vicki Unwin’s daughter Louise was 21 when she drowned while bathing in 2011 due to a ketamine overdose. She said she was “really disturbed” by the recent increase in drug-related deaths.

Vicky said, “She (Lewis) had the drugs weighed that evening, and if she had known the correct level of purity I think she would have been safe.”

“It’s heartbreaking…like many kids now he didn’t have that level of detailed information. Every day in clubs people are taking drugs that are contaminated by default because they don’t know where they’re coming from. “

She has campaigned for drug awareness to be made part of the school curriculum, and would like to see the provision of more services such as safe drug consumption facilities in Glasgow. Where people can consume illegal drugs under the supervision of doctors.

In a statement last yearThe previous Tory government said it had no plans to decriminalize drugs due to the associated harms such as “the risks posed by organized criminals”.

It said its 10-year drug strategy planned to support people through treatment and recovery and tackle the supply of illicit drugs.