DRUG-related deaths have risen in Colchester over the last three years, reflecting a national rise in fatalities over the period.

Between 2012 and 2014, 41 drug-related deaths were recorded in Colchester, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

A total of 45 drug poisoning fatalities were registered at a rate of 8.3 in every 100,000 people, between 2015 and 2017.

Of those deaths, 69 per cent were registered as being down to misuse, meaning they involved illegal drugs or were as a result of drug abuse or dependence.

Joni Thompson, clinical and business director at Open Road, which supports 2,000 clients annually across Essex, says professionals are aware of this upwards trajectory.

She said: "There's a variety of reasons but one of them is there's an ageing population, especially within the heroin-using population, so we're going to see more drug-related deaths.

"At Open Road we work closely with our prescribing colleagues at the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust looking at how we can tackle this.

"Naloxone is something which can counteract the effects of an opiate overdose. Family and friends are trained in how to use it as it's administered similarly to an Epipen.

"We see it as a homogenisation tool which reduces the risk of drug-related deaths."

Across England and Wales, 3,756 deaths involving legal and illegal drugs were recorded in 2017 - the highest total since comparable records began in 1993.

Figures show heroine and morphine were the most common drugs involved followed by anti-depressants.

Joni explained not all drug overdoses are intentional although they appear to be.

Some are caused by a lower tolerance to different strength drugs such as when leaving prison.

“That’s the risk a person takes with illegal drugs because they don’t know what they’re buying,” Joni said.

Charities nationwide are warning drug abusers need better care to help deal with underlying health conditions, and claim most deaths from substance abuse are avoidable.

She added: “Our advice would be for people to begin treatment and get advice to know how to minimise the risk.

“Then to engage with services to see about their lifestyle and how they can get support to come off illegal substances, and really just know the risks of taking them.”

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