DRUG-RELATED DEATHS FIGURE 'WRONG'

The number of drug-related deaths could be at least twice official
figures, according to new research.

The findings may mean the Government is even further from meeting its
target for cutting drug misuse deaths than previously thought, charity
DrugScope said.

Research carried out by the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John
Moores University looked into the causes of death among a sample of
191 known drug users.

Academics found only 59 of the deaths were officially classified as a
drug-related incident.

Researcher Dr Caryl Benyon said: "Substance use plays a significant
role in the deaths of drug users whose deaths are not officially
classified as drug-related deaths.

"Deaths from infections such as hepatitis C and suicides, for example,
are going unrecognised as drug-related, although in combination they
may constitute a larger proportion of all deaths of problematic drug
users."

DrugScope chief executive Martin Barnes said: "The findings are
extremely worrying and suggest that official figures do not reflect
the full extent of deaths resulting from drug use."

He added: "The tragedy is that most if not all drug related deaths are
avoidable.

"Prevention and treatment are key, but the research highlights the
importance of harm reduction measures such as needle exchanges,
particularly for drug users not accessing other means of support."

The Government had set a target to reduce drug-related deaths by 20%
between 1999 and 2004. However, the total for 2004 showed a reduction
of just 9%.