Opiates were the substances most commonly associated with drug deaths, with 791 people dying from heroin or morphine poisoning Photo: PA
The Office for National Statistics said the total number of deaths caused by drug poisoning – including the misuse of illegal substances - was 2,747 in 2010 – a 5% drop on the previous year.
While men made up 70% of drug-related deaths, the figures showed a 10% decrease in male fatalities from 2098 to 1890, and a corresponding 10% rise in female deaths, from 780 to 857.
Gender differences were also apparent in the underlying causes of drug poisoning deaths, with "accidental poisoning" forming the largest category of male deaths but "intentional self-poisoning and poisoning of undetermined intent" forming the highest proportion of fatalities in women.
The statistics show opiates were the substances most commonly associated with drug deaths last year with 791 people dying from heroin or morphine poisoning.
The figures showed 355 deaths involved the heroin substitute methadone, 144 involved cocaine and 56 involved amphetamines.
The ONS also said the number of deaths involving ecstasy has declined each year from 2006 to 2010. There were only eight deaths attributed to ecstasy in 2010.
It said there were six deaths involving mephedrone in 2010, the first year it had been mentioned on death certificates in England and Wales.
But the report added: "The number of deaths involving other so-called legal highs have fallen slightly in 2010, and are low relative to the number of deaths from heroin/morphine."
Health minister Anne Milton said: "These findings underline that any kind of drug abuse can harm.
"Any death related to misuse of drugs is a tragedy for the victim, their families and their friends. We want to do everything we can to drive down the harm caused by drugs.
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