Cocaine linked to one in five drug poisoning deaths in 2025. Charities blame increased purity and availability. 115 ketamine-linked deaths registered, twice as many as in 2024. Overall rate of drug deaths fell for first time since 2012.
Drug-related deaths in England and Wales have roughly doubled since 2012. The steepest increases were found in areas with high levels of poverty.
Drug poisoning deaths remain high because of the proliferation of synthetic opioids. These include nitazenes, which are many times more potent than heroin. Morgan said there were increasing reports of people becoming dependent on ketamine.
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