The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated March 2009:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many drug-related deaths in (a) North Wiltshire constituency, (b) London and (c) England there were in each year since 2000. (264866)
The table attached provides the numbers of deaths for which the underlying cause was drug poisoning, in North Wiltshire parliamentary constituency, London government office region and England, from 2000 to 2007 (the latest year available).
Deaths (persons) North Wiltshire London England 2000 2 427 2,758 2001 5 428 2,884 2002 5 335 2,624 2003 5 338 2,425 2004 3 342 2,606 2005 5 399 2,589 2006 3 366 2,396 2007 3 341 2,433 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the year 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for 2001 onwards. Deaths were included where the underlying cause was due to drug poisoning (corresponding ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes are shown in Box 1 below). 2 Based on boundaries as of 2009. 3 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.
Description ICD-9 ICD-10 Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) 292, 304, 305 2-305.9 F11-F16, F18-F19 Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances E850-E858 X40-X44 Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances E950.0-E950.5 X60-X64 Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances E962.0 X85 Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances, undetermined intent E980.0-E980.5 Y10-Y14