News

Drug misuse in Wales highlighted in new data from ONS

Published

6 months ago

December 12, 2024

NEW data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlights the evolving patterns of drug misuse across England and Wales. While the overall drug use rate has stabilised, there are significant regional disparities, with Welsh communities facing unique challenges in tackling substance misuse.

The ONS survey reveals that drug use in Wales aligns closely with the overall trends in England and Wales. Approximately 8.8% of adults aged 16 to 59 reported using illicit drugs in the past year. Cannabis remains the most commonly used drug, but its usage has declined to levels last seen a decade ago. However, some experts warn that Wales faces specific risks due to socio-economic factors prevalent in certain areas.

Drug-related deaths have reached record levels across England and Wales, with 5,448 fatalities recorded in 2023. In Wales, communities such as Swansea, Cardiff, and the Valleys have reported higher-than-average rates of drug poisoning deaths, reflecting challenges linked to deprivation, mental health issues, and access to treatment services.

The North Wales region, in particular, has seen a worrying increase in deaths involving synthetic opioids, echoing a trend observed nationwide. These substances, often more potent and dangerous than traditional opioids, have fueled a rise in fatal overdoses.

Regional disparities in drug misuse

The survey highlights significant regional differences, with Wales showing a slightly higher prevalence of drug misuse in younger age groups. Among 16 to 24-year-olds, 18% reported using drugs in the past year—higher than the England and Wales average of 16.5%. Experts attribute this to factors such as the availability of substances, cultural influences, and economic conditions affecting younger people.

Communities in Wales are mobilising to address these issues. Harm reduction initiatives, such as needle exchange programs and overdose prevention sites, have expanded in urban centers like Cardiff and Swansea. In rural areas, such as Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, efforts focus on improving access to addiction services and raising awareness about the risks of drug misuse.

In Newport, a pilot program offering free naloxone kits—an antidote to opioid overdoses—has been credited with saving lives. Local charities, including Welsh homelessness organisations, have also played a key role in supporting individuals at risk.

Government and police efforts in Wales

The Welsh Government has prioritised tackling drug misuse through its substance misuse delivery plan.

This includes a £50 million investment in treatment services over the next five years and a focus on harm reduction strategies. Welsh police forces, including Dyfed-Powys Police, have also stepped up operations to disrupt drug supply chains, seizing record quantities of Class A drugs over the past year.

Public health campaigns target Welsh youth

Recognising the higher rates of drug use among young people, Public Health Wales has launched campaigns aimed at educating young adults about the risks of drug misuse. Initiatives like the “Know the Score” campaign are using social media and community outreach to engage with at-risk groups.

The Herald’s perspective

The findings underscore the importance of regional solutions tailored to Wales’ unique challenges. While progress is being made through community initiatives and government funding, the persistent disparities in drug misuse and related deaths highlight the need for sustained investment and innovation in public health.

For Welsh readers, these statistics are a sobering reminder of the impact of drug misuse in our towns and cities. The Herald will continue to shed light on this issue, amplifying the voices of those working to create safer, healthier communities across the nation.

Crime

Pembrokeshire businessman sentenced for £150,000 Covid loan fraud

Published

1 hour ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Director lied on three loan applications after already receiving funds

A PEMBROKESHIRE businessman who fraudulently claimed £150,000 in Bounce Back Loans during the Covid-19 pandemic has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

ZAHID AFZAL, aged 37, of Albert Street, Haverfordwest, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (June 12) to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

Afzal, the director of mobile phone businesses Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd, had already received £52,500 in legitimate Covid loans when he applied for a further three loans—one for Phone Bits and two for Phones Onn—between May and November 2020.

The court heard that Afzal lied on each of the second-round applications, claiming they were the first he had made and exaggerating the turnover of the businesses. Each loan was for £50,000—the maximum permitted under the government-backed Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

The Insolvency Service, which investigated the case, found that the majority of the £150,000 Afzal fraudulently secured was transferred to his personal accounts, in breach of the loan scheme’s conditions.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “It is clear from our investigations that Zahid Afzal felt he could continue to apply time and time again for loans he was not entitled to. His sentencing should serve as a reminder to those contemplating fraudulently pocketing taxpayers’ money to think again.”

Afzal’s companies operated phone shops and kiosks in Carmarthen, Shropshire, Andover, and North Devon. The Insolvency Service confirmed that no wrongdoing was found in relation to the original £20,000 and £32,500 loans he obtained for Phones Onn Ltd and Phone Bits Ltd respectively.

The government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme was introduced to support small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic, offering loans of up to £50,000 at low interest, guaranteed by the Government. Loans were strictly intended for business use only.

The Insolvency Service has confirmed it is now seeking to recover the £150,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Crime

Police investigate ‘threats to kill’ at Milford Haven home

Published

1 hour ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Financial dispute believed to be behind incident on Marble Hall Road

POLICE were called to a property in Milford Haven this week after reports that persons were threatening to kill the occupant.

The incident, which took place on Wednesday (June 11), led to a visible police presence at an address on Marble Hall Road. Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that officers are investigating.

In a statement, a police spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating a report of threats to kill made at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, on Wednesday 11 June. Enquiries are ongoing.”

The Herald understands the incident may be linked to a financial dispute over money owed, although this has not been officially confirmed by police.

No arrests have been announced at this stage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online or by calling 101.

Crime

Two arrested following affray near Milford Marina

Published

1 hour ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TWO people were arrested on Friday evening (June 6) following a disturbance reported on Pill Road in Milford Haven.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers responded to a report of an affray at around 7:45pm. A man aged 30 and a woman aged 28 were arrested near Milford Marina shortly afterwards. Both have since been released on police bail.

Police clarified that, contrary to some rumours circulating locally, no drugs raid took place in connection with the incident.

The Herald understands that the arrests followed a confrontation involving multiple individuals, but police have not released further details, including the identities of those arrested.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended to a report of an affray on Pill Road, Milford Haven at around 7.45pm on Friday 6 June. One man, aged 30, and one woman, aged 28, were arrested on suspicion of affray and have been released on police bail.”

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.