Cocaine surpasses heroin as top cause of drug deaths in England and Wales

Cocaine has become the leading cause of drug‑related fatalities in England and Wales, overtaking heroin, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. The data show 1,233 deaths were linked to cocaine last year, a level eight times higher than in 2010. Charities warned that the government "must act now to reverse this deadly trend" and called for immediate action. The rise in cocaine‑specific deaths marks a sharp shift in the country's drug mortality profile, prompting concerns among health and community groups.

Why it matters

The surge in cocaine‑related deaths signals a growing public‑health crisis and pressures policymakers to address the drug’s impact.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

4 Nov 2026, 20:24 IST

Key names

England, Wales, Cocaine, Office for National Statistics

Section

Health

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianCocaine overtakes heroin as leading cause of drug deaths in England and Wales 4 Nov, 20:24

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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