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Written question asked by Mike Penning (Conservative) on Monday, 20 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 October 2008. It was answered by Lord Brennan of Canton (Labour) on Monday, 27 October 2008 on behalf of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Methadone: Death

Question
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many deaths attributed to methadone addiction were recorded in each of the last five years.
Answer

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated October 2008: "As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths attributed to methadone addiction have been recorded in each of the last five years. (229662)""The attached table provides the numbers of deaths for which the underlying cause was drug poisoning and methadone was mentioned on the death certificate either alone or together with other substances, from 2003 to 2007 (the latest year available).""The information collected at death registration does not specify whether the deceased was addicted to the substances mentioned as contributing to the death."

Table 1: Deaths attributed to drug poisoning ¹ where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate, England and Wales, 2003 to 2007 ², ³, 4
Number
Methadone mentioned only Methadone and other substances Total mentions of methadone
2003 74 127 201
2004 105 114 219
2005 98 122 220
2006 125 116 241
2007 167 158 325
¹ Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Deaths were included where the underlying cause was due to drug poisoning (shown in the table below) and where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate. ² Figures include deaths of non-residents. ³ Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 4 Where methadone was the only drug mentioned on the death certificate, and where methadone was mentioned with other substances.
ICD-10 Description
F11 to F16, F18 to F19 Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco)
X40 to X44 Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances
X60 to X64 Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances
X85 Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances
Y10 to Y14 Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances, undetermined intent.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
481 c766-7W; 229662
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Death Methadone
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk