Public Health England has just launched
the latest edition of Health Matters
which focuses on preventing drug misuse deaths.
There's been a generally rising
trend in the number of drug misuse
deaths in England for the past 20 years.
However there has been a significant
rise in the last three years to the
highest number on record. Heroin and
morphine account for the majority of
these deaths and in fact heroin-related
deaths in England and Wales have
doubled since 2012. The causes of the
recent increases are both multiple and
complex, but two major factors have been
identified as being significant.
Firstly, and in the short term, there has been an
increase in the availability and purity
of heroin, following a fall in 2010-2011.
Heroin deaths fell sharply during the
period when heroin was in short supply
but as soon as heroin became available
again the number of heroin deaths
leapt back up to the expected level.
Secondly, the heroin users of the 1980s
and 1990s are accumulating a range of
physical and mental health conditions
and are also more susceptible to overdose.
The majority of drug misuse
deaths occur in men, but deaths in women
from drug misuse have also been rising,
almost without interruption, for a couple of decades.
Drug misuse suicides although
responsible for a smaller number of
deaths than accidental poisoning, have also risen.
And a small number of deaths,
including new psychoactive substances,
and some prescription medicines, is also increasing.
For many drug users engaging in
treatment can be the catalyst
for getting the medical help they need
to address their physical and mental health problems.
England has a well-established network
of locally-commissioned treatment services.
Investing in treatment services
to reduce drug misuse and dependency
will not only help save lives but will
also substantially reduce the economic and social
costs of drug-related harm.
Drug treatment also reduces drug-related
offending and therefore delivers
substantial crime reduction benefits and
research has shown that for every £1
invested in drug treatment results
in a £2.50 benefit to society.
A recent evidence review by Public Health
England makes clear that drug treatment
systems should continue to address a
broad range of outcomes, including harm
reduction, reduced drug use, social
integration, and recovery.
Commissioners and providers should be aware that the
Public Health Outcomes Framework, or PHOF,
now includes a specific indicator
on drug misuse deaths. This new measure can
be used locally to benchmark performance
and encourage improvement. This edition
of Public Health England's Health Matters
brings together recommendations for
action by different stakeholders to
reduce the number of drug-related deaths.
This is important and these resources
include the rationale for continued
investment in drug treatment services and the
need to integrate them more effectively
into the wider healthcare system.
So please take a look at the Health Matters
online resource. It includes case studies, a
video, panel discussions, downloadable
infographics, and slides that you can use
in your presentations and in discussions
with your colleagues.
Thank you for watching.