Mental health toll soars for drug-users

HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS HAVE NEARLY DOUBLED IN 10 YEARS

DRUGS are causing record numbers of hospital admissions in Greater Manchester for mental health disorders.

Figures reveal 7,095 admissions to hospitals in 2018/19 where the person has a primary or secondary diagnosis of drug-related mental or behavioural disorders.

That is the highest number recorded since local figures began in 2008/09.

Drugs involved include cannabis, opioids and cocaine, as well as sedatives and sleeping tablets.

Admissions have nearly doubled from 3,851 in 2008/09, and have risen by a fifth in a year from 5,850 in 2017/18.

Record levels were seen in Manchester, where there were 1,695 admissions, and Trafford, with 410 admissions, where numbers have tripled since 2008/09.

In 2018/19, there were 375 admissions with a primary diagnosis of drug-related mental or behavioural disorders in Greater Manchester.

The figures, released by NHS Digital, also include the number of admissions with a primary diagnosis of poisoning through drug misuse.

There were 1,375 cases in Greater Manchester in 2018/19, a record number, up from 1,235 in 2017/18.

Separate figures have shown record number of deaths in Greater Manchester because of drug poisoning.

There were 676 deaths related to drug poisoning in area between 2016 and 2018 – the highest number since records began in 2001.

Robin Pollard, policy researcher at drug and alcohol charity Addaction, said: “With drug-related deaths at record levels, it’s clear our current approach to problematic drug use isn’t working.

“Trying to arrest our way out of the issue has been a monumental failure and the next government must follow the evidence, treating people with compassion and dignity.”