Cocaine becomes the drug most often involved in registered deaths in England and Wales

Health · First reported 4 Nov, 11:20 · Updated 13:52

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

New figures show cocaine overtook heroin as the drug most often involved in registered drug-related deaths in England and Wales. The figures also record 5,519 drug-poisoning deaths last year, 46 fewer than in 2024.

Cocaine was involved in 22% of drug-related deaths registered last year, while the total number of drug-poisoning deaths was 5,519.
The overall total was 46 lower than in 2024, although the article says drug deaths remained historically high.
The figures show cocaine overtook heroin as the drug most often involved in registered drug-related deaths in England and Wales.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Cocaine deaths: 1,233 last year, according to the article.
Share of drug-related deaths: Cocaine accounted for 22%.
All drug-poisoning deaths: 5,519 registered last year, 46 fewer than in 2024.
Highest regional rate: North-east England: 135.2 deaths per million people in 2025.
Lowest regional rate: London: 58.3 deaths per million people in 2025.