DRUG deaths in the north of the county have fallen slightly - despite a national increase.

And charities have criticised the Government over a lack of action on drug deaths across England and Wales, where nationally the figures have reached another record.

Data from the ONS show nine deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in Copeland in 2021, down from 15 the previous year; 19 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in Carlisle in 2021, down from 33 the previous year; and 12 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in Allerdale in 2021, down from 17 the previous year.

They were among 4,859 drug poisoning deaths registered across England and Wales last year – the ninth consecutive rise and the highest number since records began more than a quarter of a century ago in 1993.

The figures cover drug abuse and dependence, fatal accidents, suicides and complications involving controlled and non-controlled drugs, prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Of the drug deaths recorded nationally last year, 63 per cent were due to misuse, meaning they involved illegal drugs, or were a result of drug abuse or dependence.

Around half of the deaths registered nationally in 2021 will have occurred in previous years due to death registration delays, the ONS said.

Niamh Eastwood, executive director of Release, the national centre for drugs expertise, said every drug-related death is avoidable.

She added: “It is an utter disgrace that we are again talking about record breaking drug deaths.

"Drug deaths are a public health emergency across the UK that can and must be adequately addressed. Government inaction is a political choice."

She argued that deaths will continue to rise without commitment to "serious policy reforms", such as the decriminalisation of possession and safe supply of all controlled drugs.

A UK Government spokesman said its drug strategy will help rebuild drug treatment services and tackle criminal supply chains.

He added: “This will help to prevent nearly 1,000 deaths, deliver over 54,500 new treatment places – a 19 per cent increase on current numbers – and support 24,000 more people into recovery from substance dependency.

“This funding is additional to the annual public health grant spend and builds on the £80million put into treatment services in 2021 which worked to decrease drug-related deaths by helping services distribute more naloxone, which can help reverse opiate overdoses.”

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