Drug-related deaths in the UK are rising and are a major concern to councils and our health partners. Deaths have increased sharply over the past five years and are now at their highest levels since records began.

Any death related to the misuse of drugs is a tragedy and we know that reversing this worrying trend is not going to be easy. Public health budgets are being increasingly stretched. But there are plenty of examples of councils which are succeeding – and you can read about some of them in this publication.