UK Faces Record Drug Deaths as Experts Call for Policy Reform

Cocaine and synthetic opioids drive rising fatalities, prompting urgent pleas for harm reduction measures.

The UK recorded 5,448 drug-related deaths in 2023, marking an 11% increase from the previous year and the highest level since 1993.
Cocaine-related deaths surged by 30%, with over 1,100 fatalities, driven by increased purity and accessibility.
Men aged 40-49, particularly from Generation X, are experiencing the highest rates of drug-related deaths.
Experts advocate for drug testing services, consumption rooms, and harm reduction strategies to address the crisis.
Resistance to policy reform remains, with current government stances against decriminalization and drug consumption rooms.