This isn’t surprising for a variety of factors – especially the lack of proper harm reduction strategies and a “good samaritan” law.
This makes people wary to seek help as Ambulances are increasingly co-deployed with the Police in many areas following a 999/112 call which makes people frightened to contact the NHS before things get out of hand for fear of being nicked and/or put under surveillance – which is a vicious circle as it tends to be in “problem” areas where this is commonplace…
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/28/hospital-admissions-for-drug-related-problems-reach-decade-high
