Cocaine has overtaken heroin as the substance most frequently involved in drug deaths in England and Wales for the first time on record, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Last year, the Class A drug was linked to 1,233 fatalities, surpassing the 1,210 deaths associated with heroin and morphine. This marks a significant shift since records began in 1993, indicating a change in the primary cause of drug-related fatalities.
While the number of cocaine-related deaths has seen a slight decrease from 1,279 in the previous year, experts emphasize that these figures remain historically high. Drug charities attribute this trend to the substance becoming increasingly socially acceptable and more affordable.
The ONS figures reveal that the vast majority of these deaths occurred in England, with 1,143 fatalities compared to 79 in Wales. London reported the highest number of cocaine-related deaths with 177 victims. The North West of England, including cities like Liverpool and Manchester, recorded the second-highest toll with 175 deaths.
The North East of England, encompassing cities such as Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham, had the fewest recorded deaths linked to cocaine, with 80 fatalities. The East of England followed with 88 deaths.
Analysis of the data shows that nearly 80% of cocaine-related deaths were among men. The majority of fatalities involved middle-aged adults, with over a third of deaths occurring in individuals aged 40 to 49, and another third between the ages of 50 and 69. Only 136 fatalities involved individuals in their 20s, and nine were 19 or under, with seven victims over the age of 70.
Overall drug poisoning deaths in England and Wales saw a slight decrease, falling to 5,519 from 5,565 the previous year, marking the first reduction in over a decade. However, David Mais, head of mortality statistics at the ONS, noted that these deaths remain at historically high levels.
Experts highlight that cocaine can lead to fatal cardiovascular events by narrowing arteries, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, and constricting blood vessels in the brain. Robin Pollard, head of policy and external communications at the charity WithYou, warned that cocaine has become far more prevalent, with the price of a gram dropping approximately 40% in the last six years. He also noted increased availability and higher purity of the drug.
Simon Phillips, chief executive of WithYou, stressed that too many "preventable deaths" are still occurring each year, emphasizing that "each number is a person, with family, friends, and a future."