In 2024, 504 people died of drug-related poisoning in the West Midlands, according to new data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The death toll is the second-highest recorded over the last decade, with only the year before seeing a greater number of drug poisoning fatalities (518).
Over the last decade, deaths related to drug poisoning have followed an overall upwards trend, increasing by more than 45% in the West Midlands since 2014.
“Deaths related to drug poisoning” refers to any death caused by the abuse, misuse, or overconsumption of controlled or non-controlled substances, including prescription drugs.
According to the ONS, 2024 also saw the highest number of drug poisoning deaths in the whole of England and Wales, with over 5,000 fatalities reported.
The ONS also claim “the mortality rate for deaths related to drug poisoning has risen every year since 2012”.
Mark Moody, chief executive of Change Grow Live — a UK-wide charity that offers support for individuals struggling with substance abuse — describes the national rise in drug-related fatalities as alarming.
“It is a devastating reminder of the scale of the challenges we face and confirms what we’ve been seeing in Change Grow Live services.”
Moody states that “over half of all drug-related deaths now involve more than one drug”, while also adding that the death toll has been “exacerbated by synthetic opioids, with nitazenes deaths four times higher than in 2023”.
Moody also elaborates on the factors which lead people to substance abuse, stressing that “drug use doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s linked to housing instability, poverty, poor mental health, and an overwhelmed justice system”.
“Tackling these broader issues will take time, but without urgent action now, drug-related deaths will continue on the same trajectory, with more lives lost, more families shattered, and more communities left behind.”
If you, or someone you know, is affected by substance abuse or a death related to drug poisoning, you can visit the Change Grow Live website for support.