
16/09/2025
An important message from our Chief Executive 👇
Research from King's College London, published today, has found that there were 39,232 opioid-related deaths between 2011 and 2022, more than 50% higher than previously known.
Simon Phillips, Chief Executive of WithYou, speaks on behalf of WithYou:
“Deaths following opioid use have nearly doubled in the last decade, and these figures show an alarming acceleration of this tragedy. The ONS’ statistics play an important role in influencing public health policy and funding decisions. This under-reporting will have led to treatment services not receiving the levels of funding they require, and people not getting the support they need. With deaths from other drugs also likely to be underestimated, the Government must prioritise this issue and commit to sustained, long-term funding for treatment and recovery services - people’s lives depend on it.”