BRADFORD has the second highest rate in Yorkshire for hospital admissions brought on by illicit drug poisoning.

Figures released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre show the city had 228 such admissions in 2014/15 which worked out as 43 admissions per 100,000 of its population.

Barnsley had the highest rate in the county with 45 hospital admissions per 100,000 people.

Bradford had six more illicit drug poisoning admissions in 2013/14, according to The Statistics on Drug Misuse, England 2016 report. It also showed hospital admission figures increased significantly in the city for drug-related mental health and behavioural disorders. In 2014/15 there were 1,155 admissions made up of 808 men and 347 women at a rate of 221 per 100,000 population compared to the 2013/14 figures which recorded 1,009 admissions.

A spokesman for the Public Health department at Bradford Council said: “Improving the lives of substance misusers, their friends and family by helping them stop is an important part of Bradford Council’s health priorities. Services provided in Bradford are committed to prevention.

"But they also provide responsive recovery and well-being focused support, helping people understand the health, and other risks, associated with illicit drug use. Although, these figures show there is more work to be done, we are in the process of redesigning our services to improve how they are delivered.”

If drugs affect your life, speak to your GP or call your nearest service: The Bridge project in Bradford on 01274 758093 or Project 6 in Keighley on 01535 610180.