Bradford Sees Rise in Deaths Due to Synthetic Drugs

It is said these are “significantly stronger” than the drugs many addicts are used to which is leading to more overdoses. But local charities and police were adapting to the fluid drug scene, and have saved several lives by giving those found overdosing antidotes. Drug-related deaths on the rise in Bradford The issue was raised during a meeting of Bradford Council’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee on Thursday. Members were given an update from the Bradford District Community Safety Partnership. A report to included details of the drug deaths in the Bradford district in recent years. Deaths are recorded in three-year periods, and the report shows that between 2019 and 2021 there were 105 deaths due to “drug misuse.” In the period between 2021 to 2023, this had risen to 135. The report added: “This is an age-standardised mortality rate of 8.8 per 100,000 compared to 5.5 per 100.000 for England. “Within the district the number of deaths per year is 45 in 2021, 34 in 2022 and 56 in 2023. “Of the 135 deaths, 40 were female and 95 male. “When comparing the deaths due to drug misuse per 100,000 population between 2022 to 2023, 99 of the 145 local authorities with reported statistics saw an increase in drug related deaths, suggesting a national increase.” 'What is going on?' Councillor Falak Ahmed (Cons, Bingley Rural) asked: “The number of drug related deaths from 2021 to 2023 is significantly above previous years. "What is going on? What is driving this?” Michael Churley of the Bradford Community Safety Partnership said: “The drugs market is very fluid – it is changing rapidly. “There are a lot more dangerous drugs on the street now I’m afraid. “Broadly speaking a lot of these new drugs are synthetic – they are lab made. “There are drugs like Fentanyl that we’ve heard about from the US that are starting to reach the UK. They are significantly stronger than drugs like heroin. “This is why we see people overdose on them.” 'I don’t think Bradford is particularly worse than anywhere else' He added that the response to this new wave of drugs had been “pretty good” – with officers tracking overdose reports in an attempt to stop further tragedies. Mr Churley said there had been “three rounds” of overdoses happening in Bradford over the last few years. He said: “In many cases we’ve got to the people quickly and prevented deaths. “Officers have been able to deliver an antidote in many cases.” Asked if the problem was worse in Bradford than other areas, he replied: “The figures are high everywhere, they are increasing everywhere. “I don’t think Bradford is particularly worse than anywhere else.” Increase in adult treatment numbers The report also detailed the number of people in treatment for drug addiction in Bradford. It said: “Overall adult treatment numbers have increased 6.7 per cent in the rolling year October 2024 to September 2025, to 4,047, compared to the same period the previous year. “Opiate service users continue to account for the majority of adults (50 per cent), a decrease compared to October 2023 to September which was 55 per cent. “Alcohol only service users remain stable from last year at 24 per cent. “Non opiate and non-opiate and alcohol service users account for 13 per cent and 11 per cent of the treatment population, both increased compared to the previous year. “In the 25/26 year to date (at September 2025), there were 1,133 new presentations to treatment, made up of 286 for opiate, 237 non-opiate, 208 non-opiate and alcohol and 402 alcohol only. “There were 69 young people in treatment at the end of September 2025, the service provides rapid response and is increasing capacity in 2025. “From a crime perspective, possession drug offences were up 5 per cent from 1,858 in 2023/24 to 1948 in 2024/25, and trafficking of drug offences up 14 per cent from 491 to 558.” The report adds: “This certainly represents a pro-active policing approach to drug dealing with more offenders apprehended.” Referring to the work being done to prevent people getting addicted, the report says: “Safer Bradford has contributed to the funding of a drugs/alcohol and gambling education programme that will take place in our schools and colleges. “The programme will add expertise and drive to what schools may already be doing and is a welcome addition to the ‘prevention’ agenda in this area.”