Substance use
Other factors that have an impact
Impact of substance abuse
Substance use has a considerable impact on individuals, families and communities, contributing to a range of physical, mental and social harms. Local authorities and wider partners have a role to play in reducing the harm related to drugs and alcohol.
Due to stigma within society, there is a shift towards treating substance use as a long-term relapsing chronic health condition and using non-stigmatising language or approaches.
Health inequalities in substance use are both a cause and a consequence of deprivation, with those in most deprived areas experiencing the highest levels of harm.
In England the rate of drug-related deaths for 2021 to 2023 was 5.5 per 100,000 deaths and 7.3 per 100,00 deaths for Stockton-on-Tees, equalling 40 people in Stockton-on-Tees dying from drug use.
The societal costs for illicit drug-related harm including health harms are estimated to be £10.7 billion in England.
In terms of return on investment, it is reported that for every £1 invested into drug treatment, there is a £4 social return.
