Cocaine deaths increasing

Deaths from cocaine misuse continue to rise. In 2017, this figure was 432 people compared to 112 in 2011. These are thought to be related to the increasing purity and reducing cost of the drug.

To put this into context, that is two and a half times the deaths from road traffic accidents. Cocaine can cause heart attacks, strokes and heart failure especially when combined with alcohol and other drugs.

Here's the full list of numbers of deaths from each drug in 2017:

• Heroin or morphine: 1,164
• Methadone: 367 
• Tramadol: 185 
• Codeine not from compound formulation: 156
• Dihydrocodeine not from compound formulation: 94
• Fentanyl: 75 
• Other specified opiate: 9 
• Unspecified opiate: 190 
• Cocaine: 432 
• Any amphetamine: 150 
• Ecstasy/MDMA: 56 
• Cannabis: 29 
• Any new psychoactive substance: 61 
• Any benzodiazepine: 391 
• Zopiclone/Zolpidem: 126 
• Any antidepressant: 484
• Any antipsychotic: 120
• Paracetamol: 218

Here is the full story:

Guardian: Rise in cocaine deaths prompts calls for government action