Home / Health / West Midlands Drug Deaths Surge Past 600
West Midlands Drug Deaths Surge Past 600
3 Sep
Summary
- Over 600 people died from drug misuse in two years.
- Birmingham had the highest death rate at 10 per 100,000.
- Drug use is rising among young people nationally.
Local authorities in the West Midlands are preparing to outline strategies to combat a significant increase in drug-misuse deaths. The West Midlands State of the Region 2026 report indicates that more than 600 individuals in the region succumbed to drug misuse between 2022 and 2024.
Nationally, 9,697 deaths were attributed to drug misuse during this period. Within the West Midlands, Birmingham recorded the highest rate with 10 deaths per 100,000 population, followed by Coventry at 8.7. Wolverhampton and Walsall also showed concerning figures.
Further data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales reveals a nationwide trend of rising drug use, particularly among younger demographics. Frequent drug use among 16 to 24-year-olds saw a sharp increase from 2.5% to 3.5% within a single year, underscoring the escalating nature of the issue.
