Redcar and Cleveland saw an increase in drug-related deaths of 150 per cent last year, according to new figures.

Data from Office for National Statistics showed an increase from 16 deaths in 2022 to 40 deaths in 2023.

It comes as the total number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached a record high.

Across the two nations, 5,448 drug misuse deaths were recorded in 2023, an 11 per cent rise on the previous year.

This is the highest number since records began in 1993.

Simon Phillips, chief executive of With You, a national charity supporting people with drug and alcohol problems, said: "Every single one of these deaths is a preventable, avoidable tragedy.

"Behind the numbers are real people, with family and friends grieving their loss.

"My thoughts are with them today."

He called on the new Government to take the issue seriously.

"The reasons behind this public health crisis are deep-rooted and complex, but to save lives, we need the new Government to be brave and bold," Mr Phillips said.

"To take this tragedy seriously we want to see guaranteed funding for high-quality evidence-based drug treatment and recovery services in the autumn budget, and a long-term commitment in the spring spending review."

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To combat the rising number of drug-related deaths, With You in Redcar and Cleveland provides a variety of treatment and recovery services, including clinical interventions, recovery programmes, and support for young people and their families.

With You offers specialist services for the armed forces community, employment support, and family assistance.

Jason, aged 50, became addicted to drugs early in life, but has been sober since 2019 and is now a volunteer for With You in the North East.

"I was sniffing gas when I was about 12, and then moved on to cannabis and magic mushrooms when I was about 13," he said.

"It was terrible, I was living on the streets, going to jail, I lost contact with my family.

"There’s always help out there, you just need to ask."

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said: "I am not surprised by this awful figure. I have seen this increase of drug use on my streets with my own eyes and I speak to people on their doors who are sick and tired of the way drugs are ruining the lives of so many young people and blighting our communities.

"Our new Labour government is determined to tackle the treat of drugs by tackling the source overseas, and prevent them spreading into our communities.

"Our Border Force officers work to seize illegal drugs before they enter the UK and we have recently taken steps to ban an even broader range of dangerous synthetic drugs.

"We also need a new approach to tackling drug use in our neighbourhoods and its devastating consequences on peoples lives. I am committed to working with the government to make our streets safer and prevent any more tragic drug-related deaths."