Preventing drug and alcohol related deaths in Kingston: A quantitative thematic review of cases reported over a 3-year period (2022-2025)
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Authors
Cam Goldsmith
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Issue Date
06-May-26
Type
Conference Abstract
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Keywords
Rapid evaluation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background: Drug and alcohol use are leading causes of death in people under 50 in the UK, with 8,276 alcohol-specific and 3,353 drug misuse deaths in 2023 (OHID, 2025). To address this growing public health concern, the Office for Health Inequalities and Disparities (OHID) has provided guidance for local areas to review drug and alcohol related deaths through Drug and Alcohol Related Deaths (DARD) Review Panels (OHID, 2024). In 2025, Kingston's DARD Review Panel conducted a thematic review to identify themes in drug and alcohol related deaths locally.
Methods: Data was collected through DARD member responses on the reporting system, QES. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarise data about the circumstances surrounding the lives of people who have died of drug and alcohol related causes in Kingston.
Results: There were 32 drug and alcohol related deaths reported between July 2022 and July 2025. One key finding was that most cases were engaging in drug and alcohol treatment (22; 69%) and known to local services (29; 91%) at the time of their death. Many cases also experienced multiple disadvantages: mental ill-health (19; 59%); criminal justice involvement (7; 22%); and homelessness (8; 25%).
Discussion: The finding that most cases were known to services reveals gaps in provision and opportunities for services to better support residents with drug and alcohol needs. In particular, many of the cases were identified as having multiple disadvantages, which suggests that the gaps in local service provision are experienced by those with the highest level of need. To overcome this, ways of working should be reviewed to enhance partnership working, mitigate stigmas, and improve escalation pathways for addressing increasing risk and unmet needs that have not been addressed by existing risk panels.
Conclusion: There is a need to improve the intersectional approach to preventing drug and alcohol related deaths in Kingston. This thematic review was presented to the Kingston DARD Review Panel in August 2025 and has informed joint strategic planning and interventions, with a specific focus on improving pathways and ways of working for supporting residents with drug and alcohol needs.