Opioid-Related Deaths in England and Wales Rise Significantly Over the Last Decade

Over the past ten years, the number of deaths linked to opioid use in England and Wales has surged dramatically, nearing a 55% increase. In 2012, the death rate was approximately 22.9 per million people, which escalated to about 43.8 per million in 2023. However, these figures are likely conservative estimates, as they depend on the data provided by coroners to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and often omit details from post-mortem reports and toxicology results.

A recent study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy utilized data from coroners' reports submitted to the National Program on Substance Use Mortality (NPSUM) to refine the understanding of the true scale of opioid-related fatalities. Researchers found that the official data underrepresents the actual number of deaths due to various limitations, including incomplete or ambiguous information on death certificates. For example, in 2011, the ONS recorded 574 deaths from heroin/morphine, but the researchers estimate that there were actually around 813, including an estimated 239 uncounted deaths — a 29% underestimation. By 2022, the gap widened further; while the official count was 1,264, the probable actual number was near 1,980, representing a 34% undercount.

This underreporting is especially pertinent for substances like heroin, morphine, methadone, tramadol, dihydrocodeine, and fentanyl, but researchers suggest that other drugs such as cocaine may also be significantly underestimated. The study emphasizes that the increase in polydrug use—simultaneous use of multiple substances—raises the risk of accidental overdose and complicates accurate death attribution. Incomplete data hampers public health planning and resource allocation.

The research underscores the need for improved reporting practices by coroners and highlights how current data limitations hinder a comprehensive understanding of the opioid crisis. Extending this analysis to other substances could better inform policies aimed at reducing overdose deaths.

Source: Medical Xpress