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Death: Drugs

Volume 490: debated on Monday 23 March 2009

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many drug-related deaths there were in (a) North Wiltshire constituency, (b) London and (c) England in each year since 2000. (264866)

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).

Table 1: Number of deaths from drug poisoning1, North Wiltshire parliamentary constituency, London government office region and England, 2000 to 20072, 3

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.

Box 1. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes used to define drug-related poisoning deaths by underlying cause

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