Drug related deaths in Rochdale borough at record high

Drug related deaths in the Rochdale borough are at a record high.

The number of deaths related to drugs in the borough of Rochdale is at a 15-year high, figures released by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday (2 August) revealed.

The Office for National Statistics data shows 48 people lost their lives between 2014 and 2016 due to drug misuse, relating to both illegal and legal substances. Both the figures for men and women were at a record high at 27 and 21, respectively.

However, only 24 people died in the same period in Trafford, the lowest in Greater Manchester, with the highest numbers recorded in the city centre with 113 deaths. Figures in Tameside for the same period fell from 33 to 31.

Deaths in Rochdale were at their lowest in 2005-2007 with five women and 14 men dying.

479 people died from the use of illegal drugs in Manchester during 2016, nearly 10% higher than 2015 and over a third of the 1,251 deaths across the North West.

Overall, figures across the England increased from the previous year from 6,232 to 6,803 deaths: record numbers since 2001. In the Isles of Scilly, there were no recorded deaths related to drugs, the lowest in the country, whilst the country’s highest amount of 173 was recorded in Birmingham city centre.

Eytan Alexander, founder of UK Addiction Treatment Centres, said: "We are saddened to read the latest ONS report and to see the amount of people dying in Rochdale because drug use is continuing to rise.

"Only recently, when the Government launched its 2017 'Drug Strategy' did they make a point of saying that, according to their own research, treatment is effective.

"We would urge anyone dealing with drug dependency, or any addiction, to seek help before it escalates further."

For facts and information on treatment options for drug addiction, visit:

https://www.ukat.co.uk/drug-addiction/