Drugs

Summary

Drug and alcohol misuse are complicated, cross-cutting issues that continue to present significant challenges both locally and nationally. Drug-related harm varies according to the different types of drugs being used and also the way a drug is used, particularly if it is used in combination with other substances. Drugs have a profound and negative effect on communities, families, individuals and society as a whole. 

Key findings - adults

• The most up to date estimates (2019/20) indicate that Lancashire had 8.7 opiate and/or crack cocaine users per 1,000 of the population (aged 15-64), statistically similar to the England estimate of 9.5 per 1,000. Meanwhile, Blackburn with Darwen (18.7) and Blackpool (28.6) both have significantly higher estimated rates of opiate and/or crack cocaine users. 
• In 2023/24 an estimated 5,274 persons aged 18+ were in treatment with specialist drug misuse services
• In 2023/24, 4.7% of opiate users (18+) in Lancashire-12 successfully completed drug treatment and did not re-present to treatment within six months, this is statistically similar to the England rate (4.5%), the trend for Lancashire-12 shows there has been no significant change for this indicator. Blackburn with Darwen (5.2%) also has a similar rate of successful completion to England whilst in Blackpool (2.9%) it is worse than England.
• 37.8% of non-opiate users (aged 18+ years) in Lancashire-12 successfully completed treatment in 2023/24, this is statistically significantly higher than what is observed for England (29.5%), trend data shows no significant change to this rate locally but a decline nationally. In Blackpool (28.7%) and Blackburn with Darwen (25.9%) the rate of successful completion is statistically similar to England however Blackburn with Darwen is seeing a decline.
• During the period 2021-23 161 deaths occurred due to drug misuse in Lancashire-12, a rate of 4.6 per 100,000 people which is significantly lower than observed for England (5.5 per 100,000), Lancashire-12 is the only LA in the North West to benchmark lower than (better than) England. Conversely, in Blackpool the rate of 20.5 is the highest rate in the North West and is statistically significantly higher (worse) than England, totalling 80 deaths in the same period. In Blackburn the rate of 3.5 per 100,000 is statistically similar to England with 16 deaths total in the period.

Key findings - young people

Illicit drug use by young people continues to be one of the most significant public health challenges in England and many young people receiving specialist interventions for substance misuse have a range of vulnerabilities. These include young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), those in contact with the youth justice system, and those who experience domestic abuse and sexual exploitation. Alcohol and drug use amongst young persons is also associated with early sexual initiation and other risky sexual behaviours.

• For the period 2021/22 to 2023/24 the Lancashire-12 area had 195 hospital admissions due to substance misuse among persons aged 15-24, giving a directly standardised rate of 43.5 per 100,000 people, statistically similar to the England rate (47.4 per 100,000). Blackpool (76.9) has significantly higher rate than England whilst Blackburn with Darwen's rate (60.2), like Lancashire's, is statistically similar to England. 
• The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System data indicate that in the period 2023/24 there were 340 young people (under 18) in treatment for substance misuse (includes alcohol). This figure has increased by 65 since 2022/23.
• In 2023/24 Lancashire had 250 new presentations to treatment, meanwhile, 210 young people exited the service following successful completion of treatment.  

For county and unitary data and further information please see below.

Page updated November 2025