Four of the top five drugs which claim people's lives in the UK are legal, research has found.
Paracetamol is the fifth highest cause of death from drug use in the UK each year according to 2021 ONS data analysed by residential rehab provider Abbeycare Foundation. The figures have prompted health experts to encourage people to always read the label on any medication.
The number one killer is cocaine, which causes on average 29.2 deaths per million people, almost 2,000 per year. Paracetamol causes almost 8 deaths per million people, amounting to more than 500 deaths per year.
Other than cocaine, an illegal drug, the others in the top five are prescribed drugs or NPS (New psychoactive substances) – sometimes known as legal highs. Figures show that females saw a 459% increase from cocaine poisoning between 1994 – 2021 higher than the rise for males of 340%.
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A spokesperson from Abbeycare Foundation said: "Not only does the study reflect how serious the dangers can be of using substances such as cocaine, it also highlights the importance of reading instructions on prescribed medication and not to underestimate the side effects. Paracetamol is a common painkiller in the UK, but ignoring the guidelines can have severe consequences.
“It’s vital to always check, particularly when keeping this in the house near children.”
The signs to look out for of an overdose of cocaine are chest pain, anxiety, and tremors and mixing with alcohol increases the chance of a stroke as it raises heart and blood pressure. Exceeding the instructed amount of paracetamol can lead to liver failure, and related misuse symptoms can include vomiting, unexpected bleeding and skin and the whites of the eyes turning yellow.
Central Liverpool Primary Care Network engagement lead Kerry Nugent said: "According to data from the Office of National Statistics, deaths relating to drugs have reached a new high, there were 4,859 deaths related to drug poisoning registered in 2021.
"This data is reflected across Merseyside, with Liverpool having the highest number of deaths of all the boroughs. The number of drug related deaths is outrageous when these deaths could be avoided.
“We need immediate investment into support services. We need to dig deeper and find the root cause of why people misuse drugs, often trauma, poor mental health and stress can lead people into self medication.
“It has to start with support for people before drug misuse occurs".
The top five killer drugs are cocaine, antidepressants in second with 21.1 deaths per million and benzodiazepines in third with 18.8 deaths per million. NPS drugs come fourth – they are created to provide the effects of illegal drugs that contain banned chemicals, such as ecstasy and LSD..
The Abbeycare Foundation added: “While the findings can place emphasis on these particular drugs, it’s crucial to be aware that the dangers are not limited to the top five. Always consider the consequences of controlled drugs and follow instructions with prescribed and over-the-counter medications to keep yourself safe.”
A NHS worker who did not wish to be identified said: "There are real issues with the amount of people who end up having complications from recreational drug use and people who take intentional drug overdoses. Mental health and drug rehabilitation services (in Liverpool) are unable to cope and the situation is getting worse.
"This has a direct impact on the wider NHS as the knock-on effect of the additional care needs puts even more strain on a system already buckling under the pressure".
For information visit NHS Drug Addiction Support HERE
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