Any increase in the number of people dying as a result of illicit drug misuse is worrying.

The ONS figures cover deaths by accidental poisoning; intentional self harm; and illicit drug dependency.

It is difficult to ascertain the reasons why 138 more drug users have died in England since 2007. There is no reason to believe there are more injecting drug users – according to Home Office prevalence data for 2004-06 the number of injecting drug users in England fell by 11 per cent – but we suspect those individuals with a long history of drug dependency and injecting drug use are engaging in more dangerous behaviour and are therefore at greater risk of dying from overdose.

The increase in cocaine-implicated deaths is a particular concern. It is reflected by the British Crime Survey’s recent and equally worrying findings around increase in prevalence and by the steady increase in the total number of individuals entering and receiving treatment for their cocaine and crack use.

Entering drug treatment is protective: it stabilises individuals by reducing the harmful drug practices which pose the greatest risk of death; improves physical health and wellbeing and ultimately helps individuals to overcome their dependence and live drug-free lives.

The NTA in conjunction with the Department of Health is committed to delivering an action plan to reduce drug-related harm and overdose death in England and have boosted the national harm reduction campaign by targeting those most at risk of overdose with additional support, including a programme of the life-saving drug naloxone which reverses the effects of heroin overdose. These measures have been well received by drug users, their families and the treatment sector.