Cocaine Deaths Surge Across England and Wales

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Cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales have accelerated dramatically over the past decade, nearly quadrupling since 2015 and surpassing heroin as the leading cause of drug poisoning fatalities. In 2025, cocaine was involved in more than one in five drug deaths, totaling 1,233 cases compared to 1,210 linked to heroin or morphine. Experts attribute this shift partly to cocaine's increased purity and accessibility in the illicit drug market. Although the overall rate of drug deaths fell slightly that year, the decline masks deeper regional disparities and persistent public health concerns.