Concerns have been raised after Cornwall recorded its highest ever level of drug deaths, a figure which is likely to increase again, writes Lee Trewhela. 

A Cornwall Council meeting heard that the increasing use of synthetic opioids was a driving factor in the number of deaths.

Cornwall Council’s neighbourhoods committee met last week to discuss the Safer Cornwall Partnership Plan for the next year, which includes details of its drug strategy.

Cllr Jayne Kirkham, who is part of the Safer Falmouth initiative, said she was concerned about rising rates of sexual violence, violent crimes, preventable deaths and suicides, which are 30 per cent higher than the national average. 

“What did scare me is we’ve had the highest number of drug-related deaths ever last year,” she added.

In 2022 there were 45 drug deaths in Cornwall – the highest recorded in any one year – with the council predicting more than 50 in 2023. Cornwall has an estimated 2,562 people dependent on heroin and crack cocaine, of which 54.3 per cent are receiving treatment.

Erika Sorensen, the local authority’s strategic intelligence manager, said the council was also very concerned about the growing number of drug deaths.

“There are some key things that have changed the profile in terms of risk from drug-related death,” she said. “The current one which is starting to affect us locally but is also affecting communities nationally is the presence of synthetic opioids coming on to the illicit drug market. It is the main driver of the high number of deaths at the moment. It carries a significantly higher risk of drug-related death.”

Ms Sorenson said the use of synthetic opioids, which are often much stronger than the user thinks, requires many more doses of the medication needed to reverse an overdose. “So if anyone’s taken heroin that’s contaminated with synthetic opioids, it’s driving a surge in drug-related deaths. It is really worrying.”

The council has carried out an “emergency exercise” in relation to the rise in drug-related deaths, shared information with drug users and is working with local and national partners to manage the risk the best they can.

A council report stressed that crack cocaine and heroin use in Cornwall is estimated to be below national levels but has increased over the last decade, whereas alcohol dependency is estimated to be higher. Cornwall has an estimated 6,968 dependent drinkers of which 27.4 per cent are receiving treatment.

Safer Cornwall chair Simon Mould said the council gained £15-million in grant funding in 2023 enabling it to carry out more drug treatment and prevention work.