ZAMBIA EXPLAINS
Article by Rodgers Mangwela | KASONDE24
A SHIFT THAT RAISES NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT DRUG ABUSE
For decades, heroin has been associated with some of the most devastating drug-related health crises in parts of the world. However, new statistics from England and Wales reveal a significant shift in the substances appearing in drug-poisoning deaths.
Cocaine has overtaken heroin and morphine to become the most frequently mentioned specific substance in drug-poisoning deaths registered in England and Wales in 2025.
The development, reported on November 4, 2026, marks the first time since records began in 1993 that cocaine has occupied this position.
According to the latest figures published by the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), cocaine was involved in 1,233 registered drug-poisoning deaths in 2025, compared with 1,210 involving heroin or morphine.
Although the difference is relatively small, the figures highlight how the drug landscape is changing and why public health authorities cannot afford to underestimate the dangers associated with cocaine.
WHAT DO THE NUMBERS REVEAL?
The latest statistics paint a concerning picture of drug-related deaths in England and Wales.
A total of 5,519 drug-poisoning deaths were registered in 2025, representing a slight decrease from the 5,565 recorded in 2024.
Of these deaths, cocaine was mentioned in 1,233 cases, while heroin or morphine appeared in 1,210.
The figures also reveal that cocaine-related deaths have increased dramatically over the longer term.
In 2010, only 144 deaths involved cocaine. By 2025, that number had risen to 1,233.
This represents more than an eightfold increase over 15 years.
However, there is an important distinction in interpreting these statistics. Drug-poisoning deaths frequently involve multiple substances. Therefore, the presence of cocaine in a death registration does not necessarily mean it was the only substance involved or the sole cause of death.
The ONS identifies substances mentioned on death certificates rather than establishing that one particular drug was responsible in every case.
WHY IS COCAINE BECOMING A MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN?
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
It can increase heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature while placing considerable stress on the cardiovascular system.
Its use can result in serious medical complications, including heart attacks, dangerous heart rhythms, strokes and seizures.
One of the dangers surrounding cocaine is the perception that it is a recreational drug that can be used occasionally without serious consequences.
However, even occasional use carries health risks.
Repeated use can also lead to dependence, psychological difficulties and damage to physical health.
Another concern is the possibility of combining cocaine with other substances. When multiple drugs are taken together, their effects can become unpredictable and increase the risk of poisoning.
The latest UK figures demonstrate why public education must go beyond traditional conversations about heroin and other opioids.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: DRUG DEATHS REMAIN A SERIOUS PROBLEM
Although the number of registered drug-poisoning deaths decreased slightly in 2025, the overall situation remains concerning.
The ONS recorded 5,519 deaths, equivalent to 92.4 deaths per million people.
This was the first annual decrease in the age-standardised drug-poisoning mortality rate since 2012.
However, the rate remains considerably higher than it was a decade ago.
The statistics also reveal differences between men and women. Men accounted for approximately 80 per cent of deaths involving cocaine.
People aged between 40 and 49 continued to record the highest rate of drug-misuse deaths across the age groups examined.
These figures suggest that drug-related harm is not simply a problem affecting young people. It can follow individuals into middle age, affecting families, workplaces and entire communities.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR AFRICA AND ZAMBIA?
While the statistics are specifically about England and Wales, the broader lessons deserve attention across Africa.
Drug abuse is not a problem that respects geographical boundaries. Changing patterns of drug consumption, international trafficking networks and the availability of different substances make substance-use prevention an important public health issue for countries around the world.
In Zambia, conversations about drug abuse should extend beyond arrests, criminal investigations and public condemnation.
There is an equally important need to discuss prevention, rehabilitation, mental health support and access to accurate information.
For communities in Kabwe, Katondo and other parts of Zambia, educating young people about the consequences of substance abuse is an important starting point.
Schools, families, religious institutions, health professionals and community organisations all have a role to play.
Young people should understand that a substance marketed or perceived as a recreational drug is not necessarily safe.
Equally, people experiencing substance dependence should not be treated as individuals beyond help. Access to professional treatment, counselling and rehabilitation can make a significant difference.
THE LESSON: DRUG PREVENTION MUST EVOLVE
The cocaine figures from England and Wales offer an important reminder that drug-related public health challenges continue to evolve.
A strategy focused exclusively on one substance risks overlooking emerging patterns and new sources of harm.
Governments need reliable research, effective prevention programmes, accessible treatment services and public awareness campaigns that reflect changing realities.
For Africa, the opportunity is to learn from international developments before similar challenges become more difficult to manage.
For Zambia, the conversation should begin with education, community awareness and stronger support systems for people affected by substance abuse.
The figures may come from England and Wales, but the message is universal: understanding the dangers of drugs is not simply a matter of law enforcement. It is also about protecting lives, families and future generations.
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Published by KASONDE24.
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