Hospital admissions for heroin overdoses have risen dramatically in London, Ministers have revealed.

The Government has been accused of failing to tackle Britain’s “drugs culture”, as it emerged heroin overdoses had increased by 60 per cent over five years.

Liberal Democrats, who uncovered the figures in Parliamentary questions, called for more help for drug addicts to kick the habit.

Police resources should also be targeted at catching dealers, said Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb.

The number of cases of heroin poisoning treated by London hospitals was 174 last year, up from 109 five years ago.

And cocaine poisoning cases rose to 167 from 117, an increase of 42 per cent over five years.

Mr Lamb said: “These shocking statistics reveal the abject failure of this Government to deal effectively with the drug culture in this country.

“The sustained increase in cocaine and heroin use is of particular concern and seems to reflect the increasingly affordability of drugs.

“We need to target resources into cracking down on dealers and making sure treatment and rehabilitation facilities are available to those who need them.

“The Government has been obsessed with trying to look tough on drugs while slashing funding for information services.  Ministers must do a lot more to make people aware of the serious damage that drug use can do to your long-term health.”

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Website (optional)

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment