§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths were caused by the use of(a) ecstasy, (b) cocaine and (c) heroin in the last 12 months; what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of deaths caused by the use of class A drugs; and if he will make a statement. [29830]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 24 January 2002]: The latest year for which figures are available is 1999. The number of deaths in England and Wales where ecstasy, cocaine and heroin/morphine was mentioned on the death certificate, with or without other substances, are as follows:
Number MDMA/Ecstasy 26 Cocaine 88 Heroin/Morphine1 754 1 As heroin breaks down in the body into morphine, the latter may be detected at post mortem and recorded on the death certificate. Source:
Office for National Statistics database of deaths from drug related poisonings
In November 2001 we launched our action plan to prevent drug-related deaths which aims, by promoting practical measures such as resuscitation training for drug users and harm reduction training for drug treatment staff, to reduce the number of these deaths. A press release was issued at launch, reference 2001/0543, and can be found on the Department's website.