Drug deaths in Wales fall by 30%

Deaths from drug misuse in 2014 fell by 16% compared to 2013 and by 30% since 2010. The drug misuse mortality rate in Wales has also fallen by 16% compared to 2014, to 39 deaths per million – the lowest rate since 2006.

Speaking during a debate on substance misuse Mr Gething said: 

“These figures represent lives lost to families and communities across Wales and while I welcome the news of a further decrease, any death attributable to drugs is one too many.

"Tackling drug misuse is a complex issue, which the Welsh Government has been working hard to address. The fact that drug-related deaths are falling at such a rate in Wales is testament to the significant work which we and our partners are undertaking.  

“We are investing more than £50m a year in programmes to tackle the harms caused by substance misuse and these figures show that this money is delivering tangible benefits.”

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