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The number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales reached record levels last year, figures from the Office for National Statistics show.
Fatalities involving heroin and cocaine were both at their highest since comparable records began in 1993.
The increasing purity of substances is believed to be a possible factor behind the rise in deaths.
ONS researcher Vanessa Fearn said that age was another cause for the increase, particularly with older heroin users.
Overall, 3,674 drug poisoning deaths involving legal and illegal substances were registered in 2015. Of these, 2,479 involved illegal drugs only.
The ONS said the mortality rate from drug misuse was the highest ever recorded, at 43.8 deaths per million population.
Ms Fearn said: "Deaths involving heroin and morphine have more than doubled since 2012, partly driven by a rise in heroin purity and availability over the last three years.
"Age is also a factor in the record levels of drug deaths, as heroin users are getting older and they often have other conditions, such as lung disease and hepatitis, that make them particularly vulnerable."
SEE-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37315941
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