HC Deb 17 January 2001 vol 361 cc286-7W
15. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many deaths from illegal drugs there were in 1989; and what the estimated number is for 2001. [144212]

Mr. Ian McCartney

For the year 1989, the published Home Office Statistical Bulletin reveals some 1,191 deaths due to controlled drugs. This figure includes poisonings, suicides and those dying from AIDS acquired through injecting drug use, as well as the dependent and non-dependent use of controlled drugs. There are no official estimates for the number of drug-related deaths for 2001.

However, latest figures indicate that there are over 3,000 drug-related deaths annually within the United Kingdom. As part of the Government's 10-year strategy for reducing drugs misuse, we are committed to reducing the number of these tragedies. We have made available the resources to make this possible and will shortly be announcing our response to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs report "Reducing Drug Related Deaths".