The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 31 October 2008:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths attributed to methadone addiction were recorded in London in each of the last five years. (232444)
The attached table provides the numbers of deaths for which the underlying cause was drug poisoning and methadone was mentioned on the death certificate either alone or together with other substances, in London government office region, from 2003 to 2007 (the latest year available).
The information collected at death registration does not specify whether the deceased was addicted to the substances mentioned as contributing to the death.
Deaths Methadone mentioned only Methadone and other substances Total mentions of methadone 2003 8 9 17 2004 19 7 26 2005 12 8 20 2006 28 11 39 2007 21 9 30 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Deaths were included where the underlying cause was due to drug poisoning (shown in following table) and where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate. 2 Based on boundaries as of 2008. 3 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 4 Where methadone was the only drug mentioned on the death certificate, and where methadone was mentioned with other substances.
ICD-10 Description F11-F16, F18-F19 Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) X40-X44 Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances X60-X64 Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances X85 Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances Y10-Y14 Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances, undetermined intent