THREE people died from drug-related deaths in the Maldon district last year.

The number of deaths related to drug poisoning in 2021 was in line with 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, 3,060 - 63 per cent - were due to misuse, meaning they involved illegal drugs or were a result of drug abuse or dependence – including two of the Maldon fatalities.

Charities have criticised the Government over a lack of action on drug deaths across England and Wales – which have reached another record high – with experts calling the latest figures an "utter disgrace".

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

“It is an utter disgrace that we are again talking about record breaking drug deaths," she said.

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

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

The Office for National Statistics said the overall rising trend over the past decade has been driven primarily by deaths involving opiates, but also other substances such as cocaine.

Just under half of the drug deaths registered across England and Wales last year involved an opiate.

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."