Misuse of drugs is a significant cause of premature mortality, has impacts on the users physical and mental health, as well impacting on the people around the user and wider society.
In England and Wales, there were 3,744 drug poisoning deaths in 2016 – the highest number since comparable statistics began to be collected in 1993. Sixty-nine percent of these deaths were related to drug misuse, and this was highest for people aged 40 to 49 years. Over half of deaths related to drug poisoning (54%) involved an opiate drug.
Locally, the rate of deaths from drug misuse in Bournemouth is higher than that of England. For younger people, the rate of hospital admissions for substance misuse aged 15-24, and the percentage of 15 year olds who have taken cannabis in the last month is significantly higher in Poole, compared to England.
Key statistics
Indicators are drawn from three datasets: Health behaviours in young people, Public Health profiles, and the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHE).
* indicates a statistically significant difference from the respective English Average.
| Indicator | Time Period | BCP | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths from drug misuse (rate per 100,000) | 2018-20 | 6.9* | 4.6 | 5.0 |
| Hospital admissions due to drug poisoning (crude rate per 100,000) | 2020-21 | 79.9* | 42.13 | 50.22 |
| Hospital Admissions due to substance misuse (15-24, rate per 100,000) | 2017/18-2019/20 | 135* | 96.6 | 84.7 |