Opioid Deaths Rise 55% in Last Decade
- Opioid Deaths in England adn Wales Dramatically Underestimated, Study Reveals
- London, UK - A groundbreaking study published today in the International Journal of Drug Policy reveals a concerning truth about opioid-related deaths in England and Wales: the official...
- The ONS relies on data provided by coroners on death certificates to determine the cause of death.
Opioid Deaths in England adn Wales Dramatically Underestimated, Study Reveals
London, UK – A groundbreaking study published today in the International Journal of Drug Policy reveals a concerning truth about opioid-related deaths in England and Wales: the official figures substantially underestimate the true toll. while the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports a near doubling of opioid deaths in the last decade, from 22.9 per million people in 2012 to 43.8 per million in 2023,researchers at the Faculty of life Sciences & Medicine have uncovered a much grimmer reality.
The ONS relies on data provided by coroners on death certificates to determine the cause of death. However, this data is often incomplete, notably in cases of polydrug use, where individuals die from a combination of substances. When coroners use ambiguous terms like ”multidrug overdose,” the ONS cannot identify the specific drugs involved, leading to an undercount of opioid-related deaths.
Researchers used data from coroners’ reports submitted to the National Program on Substance use Mortality data (NPSUM) based at the university to triangulate and better estimate the number of opioid-related deaths.
the study highlights a growing gap between official figures and the actual number of deaths. In 2011, the ONS recorded 574 heroin/morphine-related deaths. However, by utilizing NPSUM data, researchers discovered an additional 239 unaccounted deaths, representing a 29% underestimation. By 2022, this gap had widened to 34%, with the ONS reporting a significantly lower number of deaths than the researchers’ more complete analysis revealed.
This underestimation has profound implications for public health policy and resource allocation. Without accurate data, it is unachievable to effectively address the opioid crisis and provide targeted support to those most at risk. The researchers urge for greater collaboration between the ONS and NPSUM to ensure a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of opioid-related deaths in England and Wales.
“This study underscores the urgent need for improved data collection and analysis to accurately reflect the devastating impact of opioid use,” says lead researcher.”By acknowledging the true extent of the problem, we can develop more effective strategies to prevent further loss of life and support those struggling with addiction.”