Drug-related hospital admissions on the rise

The number of hospital admissions relating to illegal drug abuse has risen during 2009-10, according to new figures.

Data from the NHS Information Centre reveals that drug-related hospital admissions rose by 5.7 per cent compared to 2008-09, with 44,585 admissions recorded for drug-related mental health and behavioural disorders.

This comes despite a fall in the proportion of English adults using drugs to 8.6 per cent in 2009-10, compared to 10.1 per cent the previous year.

The figures continue a downward trend from a peak of 12.3 per cent in 2003-04.

Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said there were no obvious reasons for the increase in drug-related admissions.

He observed: "Although we lack robust data on poly drug use, there is evidence suggesting that it has increased, including the mixing of illegal drugs – such as cocaine – with alcohol."

Mr Barnes also pointed out that caution should be taken when comparing figures for different years, as year-on-year changes can often be explained by changes in medical best practice and new coding systems.