A HIGH level inquiry has been set up into deaths arising from drug misuse on the day a shock report from doctors reveals a rising tide of deaths among teenage users.

News of the probe by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs comes after Lancashire's coroners called for action to stop the growing numbers of narcotic induced deaths.

The move has been welcomed by Home Secretary Jack Straw who has praised the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's campaign on the issue.

Figures published in the British Medical Journal show that between 1985 and 1995, overall drug deaths among youngsters aged 15 to 19 increased by 8% a year. During this period 436 teenagers died accidentally from drug poisoning - 303 of them male and 133 female.

The biggest killers were opiates, like heroin, which accounted for 21% of the deaths.

Deaths from these drugs soared by an average 27% a year during the 11-year period.

Death rates from other mind-altering drugs, such as ecstasy, increased by 23% a year.

The statistics emerged from a study led by Dr Ian Roberts from the Institute of Child Health, London.

They are based on figures from the Office for National Statistics for England and Wales.

This newspaper launched its campaign after the county's coroners held a press conference to express the fears about the growing numbers of drug related deaths featuring at inquests. Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Coroner Andre Rebello said he and his colleagues were very alarmed at the number of drug deaths they dealt with.

But accepted that the number that turned up at inquests were just the "tip of the iceberg".

He was particularly concerned at the growing incidence of deaths involving misuse of the heroin substitute Methadone obtained by addicts on prescription.

Today Blackburn MP Mr Straw revealed the new study after a letter from the council's chairman Professor David Grahame Smith.

Mr Straw said: "The number of deaths resulting from the use of drugs is of great concern to me.

"It is very sad that anyone has to die in this way.

"I welcome the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's campaign which has helped bring to light the drug deaths in Lancashire and underscored the need to look at all the issues involved.

"The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs shares this concern and is setting up an inquiry into drug deaths and how to reduce them.

"I will be set up in the Autumn and hopes to report in about 18 months.

"I hope this inquiry will help us get to the root of this problem." The 35-strong council is the Home Secretary's principal advisor on the problem. It has produced reports on AIDS and drug misuse, training, drug education in schools, solvent abuse and drug misuse and the criminal justice system.

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