ADDICTION experts have said it is ‘saddening but unsurprising’ news that drug deaths have reached the highest number and highest annual increase since records began back in 1993.

A report by the Office of National Statistics found that deaths from drug poisoning in Flintshire have risen over the last five years with the county being identified as amongst the areas with the largest rise in drug poisoning deaths in the time period analysed.

The most recent numbers show that, in Flintshire, there have been 36 deaths relating to drug poisoning in the 2016-18 period.

Of these 36 deaths, the numbers indicate that 15 of those were women – which is triple the number of cases since 2013-15.

Looking back for Flintshire, between 2014 and 2016, there were a total of 24 cases recorded and in the 2012 to 2014 outcome of data there were 19.

On the opposite hand, Wrexham has witnessed a decline in the past five years.

Figures show a total of 27 deaths relating to drug poisoning across the county in the 2016-18 period compared to 26 between 2014 and 2016 and a staggering 32 in the 2012 to 2014 set of results.

Analysis of the data by UK Addiction Treatment Centres (UKAT), addiction treatment experts, shows that Wales as a whole has seen a concerning 40 per cent rise in drug poisoning deaths in the last five years.

Eytan Alexander, managing director of UKAT, said: “These ONS figures are saddening but unsurprising. We urge councils across Wales to invest in effective drug and alcohol services next year to avoid more loss of life. We must remember that these aren’t just numbers; they’re someone’s mother, father, child or friend and we can’t stress enough the value of investing in addiction treatment.”

Drug addiction experts at UKAT are urging councils across Wales to invest in drug and alcohol treatment services to avoid more loss of life.

A spokesman for Wrexham Council said: “While we note that the figures for Wrexham have remained broadly similar in recent years, we are always aware that even one drug death is one too many, and we work with a variety of partners and agencies – both at county borough level and regionally across North Wales - through the Area Planning Board in order to channel support to those that need it, and improve harm reduction levels.

“The Board also ensures that, in the event of any drug deaths, cases are reviewed so that lessons may be learnt in order to reduce the number of drug deaths in future.”

A Flintshire County Council spokesman said: “The Council is aware of the number of fatal drug poisoning deaths in the County , and that these numbers are similar to neighbouring councils.

“Social Services and BCUHB are committed to addressing all aspects of substance misuse through our jointly managed Substance Misuse Service. As in Wrexham, we work through the Area Planning Board (APB) in order to channel support to those that need it, and improve harm reduction levels.

“Across North Wales, the APB  ensures that in the event of any fatal drug poisoning death, cases are reviewed so that lessons may be learned in order to reduce the number in future.”