There has been no change in the overall level of illicit drug use in England and Wales in the year to June 2022, compared with the previous year, according to new statistics.
However, while drug misuse rates have remained stable, the LGA is concerned this is masking new trends, including an increase in the use of new – and more dangerous – synthetic drugs.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Although it is encouraging that rates of drug misuse have remained stable, this is masking worrying new trends in drug use.
“We are particularly concerned to see a rise in the use of new synthetic opioids and benzodiazepines that substantially raise the risk of incredibly serious harm to the user and are believed to be linked to a number of drug-related deaths.
“Councils want to see greater regulation of the sale of substances online that often enter the UK in the post and increased surveillance to alert authorities to the types of drugs people are taking.”
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that, despite a fall in use of some drugs, the use of ketamine and new psychoactive substances increased between 2020 and 2023.