Drug Deaths Reach Highest on Record Amid Dire Warnings From Police and Crime Commissioner

The Office of National Statistics says there were 4,907 deaths in England and Wales in 2022 caused by illegal narcotics like heroin and cocaine.

A drug user takes a needle before injecting himself with heroin in New London, Conn., on March 23, 2016. John Moore/Getty Images

Narcotics deaths in England and Wales are at the highest level since records began 30 years ago, says the Office of National Statistics.

Heroin and morphine remain the most common killer drugs, but deaths involving cocaine are now seven times higher than they were in 2011.