Figures released last week show drug related deaths in Lewisham and Greenwich is declining overall.

Statistics published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday (September 4) show the number of deaths in Lewisham from drug misuse dropped to 20 between 2012 and 2014.

The rate has steadily declined over the years, with the number of recorded deaths between 2006-08 at 33, and between 2009-11 it dropped to 25.

Neighbouring borough Greenwich has also seen an overall decline, with figures showing 18 people died between 2012-14 from drug misuse.

The numbers increased slightly from 2006-08 when 22 people died, to 23 recorded deaths in 2009-11.

MORE TOP STORIES But in Bromley the number of drug related deaths has risen sharply since 2006-08 when the figure was 15.

In 2009-11 it dropped to 13, but then soared to 26 in 2012-14. 

The London borough with the highest number of drug deaths in 2012-14 was Westminster with 36 deaths, and the highest in England was Birmingham with 148. 

The number of deaths in England overall has steadily risen from 5,053 in 2006-08, 5,142 in 2009-11 and 5,424 in 2012-14.

The figures relate to deaths from drug poisoning where misuse of an illegal drug was the underlying cause of death.

To view the figures visit: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/