Rising Street Drug Purity in UK Linked to Increase in Drug Related Deaths

A significant rise in street drug purities, coupled with high levels of prescription drug and synthetic cannabinoid may lead the increase of drug-related deaths in Britain.

MOSCOW, January 15 (Sputnik) – A significant increase in the purity of street drugs as well as the high level of misuse of prescription drugs may lead to the rise in the number of drug-related deaths in Britain, said the report by the DrugScope center published Thursday.

“A significant rise in street drug purities, coupled with high levels of prescription drug and synthetic cannabinoid use among vulnerable communities, are raising concerns among drug services facing an ever more complicated drug scene — and a rising toll of drug deaths,” Max Daly, the author of the report said.

According to the report, in Bristol cocaine purity increased from 10 percent in 2013 to 30 percent in 2014, while heroin purity jumped from 10-15 percent to 20-25 percent. In Liverpool, the purity of heroin has risen from 25 to 40 percent in the space of a year.

The study also points to the misuse of prescription drugs, which in combination with other depressants may cause drowsiness, respiratory failure and death.

“Sadly, too, our members are concerned that drug-related mortality figures will continue to rise,” DrugScope’s Chief Marcus Roberts said in a press release.

According to the latest report by the Office for National Statistics, nearly 2,000 drug misuse deaths were registered in 2013, marking a 20 percent increase compared with 2012 statistics, and deaths related to heroin and other substances involved in drug poisoning, rose by 32 percent.