Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the implications for her policies are of the Office for National Statistics' statistical bulletin entitled Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales: 2016 registrations, published in August 2017; and if she will make a statement.

The Government continues to be concerned by the increase in death related to the misuse of drugs. That is why the Government published a comprehensive new Drug Strategy in July.

The new Drug Strategy reflects the findings of Public Health England’s inquiry into drug related deaths, ‘Understanding and preventing drug related deaths’, which was published in September 2016. The Strategy recognises the benefits of evidence based approaches that help prevent drug related deaths. For example, Naloxone has a vital role in saving lives and we are committed to widening its use in England.

We will support local areas to develop a more joined up approach to commissioning and delivering the range of services that are essential to supporting recovery and preventing drug-related deaths.