Number of deaths due to drug misuse at record high in Leeds

The number of deaths caused by drug misuse in Leeds is at a record high.

There were 139 deaths here in the last 2 years

Figures also show nationally, a record number of people are dying from drug poisoning.

It follows a warning from West Yorkshire Police about powerful painkilling drug Fentanyl, which caused the death of popstar Prince.

The substance has been linked to 50 deaths across Yorkshire and Cleveland in the last 8 months.

Deputy director of the National Crime Agency, Ian Cruxton, said: "The NCA has been working with partners, both in the UK and overseas, to take action against those drug dealers who are playing Russian roulette with the lives of their customers by mixing synthetic opioids with heroin and other class A drugs.”

Following links between fentanyl and the number of deaths in the north of England, Public Health England (PHE) said it launched an urgent investigation.

Pete Burkinshaw, the organisation's alcohol and drug treatment and recovery lead, said: "We have been working with drug testing labs and local drug services to get more information on confirmed and suspected cases.

"We do not have a full picture, but the deaths in Yorkshire do appear to have peaked earlier in the year and fallen since our national alert and, encouragingly, our investigations in other parts of the country suggest we are not seeing the feared sharp increase in overdoses.

"Investigations are ongoing and plans are in place for a scaled-up response if necessary."