Halton illegal drug overdoses on the rise
THE number of illicit drug overdoses in Halton has increased overall during the last four years, according to latest figures.
NHS data revealed there were 67 hospital admissions in the borough due to toxicity arising from illegal substances in 201617, up from 54 in 2013-14.
However, the number had dropped from a high of 84 overdoses in 2015-16.
The ratios of men and women affected were roughly equal last year, although in previous years female drug users were more likely to be end up to hospital.
Halton’s drug overdose rate was 54 residents per 100,000 heads of population, lower than St Helens (64) but higher than most nearby areas including Warrington (64), Sefton (31), Liverpool (42), Knowsley (53), Cheshire West (37) and Cheshire East (22).
Blackpool was the worst affected area by far in England, with nearly double the rate of hospital admissions of Halton on 104 residents per 100,000 inhabitants.
Anyone looking to move away from neighbourhoods blighted by drug problems might look at relocating to Barnet or Harrow, each with a rate of seven drug toxicity hospital admissions per 100,000, or Thurrock which had the lowest raw number on 15 overdoses.
Hospital admissions in which a drug-related mental health issue was diagnosed, either as the main medical problem or a secondary one, in Halton rose from 266 in 2013-14, to 326 to 40 in 2016-17, with the rate rising from 212 residents per 100,000 to 266, an increase of 25%.
Compared to other areas, psychological treatment due to illicit substances was required more in Halton than average for the North West and approaching double the English average.
For hospital episodes where a drug-related mental health problem was the main reason for being admitted, Halton’s rate was nearly three times the national average.
They had also risen slightly year on year in Halton, bucking the national trend which saw drug-related mental health admissions fall by 12%.
Across England, the NHS reported that drug use among adults had fallen from 10% in the 2006-07 drug survey to 8.4% last year.
However, usage had gone up among children, with 24% of school pupils reporting to have taken drugs in the last year, compared to 15% a decade ago.
The rate increased with age, rising from 11% of 11-year-olds to 37% at 15.
Deaths related to drug misuse are at their highest level since comparable records began in 1993 ●