Herts charity says rise in drug related deaths down to lack of funding
ONS figures show there were 13 drug deaths a day last year
Druglink, a substance misuse charity based in Hertfordshire, says a lack of funding is to blame for a shocking rise in drug related deaths in England and Wales.
Gary Aldridge, Area Manager for the Hemel Hempstead based charity, said, "I know of at least 30 rehabs in the UK that have now closed as a result of not having enough funding.
"We aren't going to see another 30 rehabs just open in the next year or two. It's going to take anywhere between three to five years to build back a certain service."
"They need direction, support, and services"
He also stressed why funding for services is so important, adding recovering addicts "need purpose, they need direction, they need support, and services that are being funded.
"So the less money that is being put into services that can help rehabilitate people and give them the opportunities for education, employment, training, and work, the more disadvantaged they become."
13 deaths per day
This comes as figures from the ONS have revealed that there were a record-breaking 4,859 drug related deaths in 2021, with cocaine deaths rising for the tenth year in a row.
The death toll is 6.2% higher than the rate recorded during the pandemic and equates to 13 drug deaths a day.
Those most likely to lose their lives as a result of substance abuse problems are those aged between 45 and 49 years old.
It was also revealed that the North East had the highest rate of deaths related to drug poisoning and misuse, while the East of England had the lowest rate for drug misuse.