FOI reference: FOI-2025-3129
You asked
I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act to request the following information related to drug-related deaths in the UK. Please could you tell me:
1. Over the last five years, how many deaths in the UK have been linked to Kratom or Mitragyna speciosa? Please break this down by year and, if possible, location.
2. Over the last five years, how many deaths in the UK have been linked to poppy seeds or poppy seed tea? Please break this down by year and, if possible, location.
We said
Thank you for your request.
We produce statistics on deaths relating to drug poisoning in England and Wales. Statistics for Scotland and Northern Ireland are published separately by National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
Figures for deaths involving specific substances are based on analysis of text that appears on the death certificate which is usually written by the coroner.
There were no deaths registered over 2018 to 2023 in England and Wales that specifically mentioned Kratom or Mitragyna speciosa. However, Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are active compounds of Kratom. There have been two deaths registered between 2018 and 2023 involving Mitragynine in England and Wales.
There were no deaths registered over 2018 to 2023 in England and Wales that specifically mentioned poppy seeds or poppy seed tea. However, poppy seeds contain very low levels of opiates, but when processed into poppy seed tea, especially using unwashed or unprocessed seeds, they can contain dangerous levels of morphine and codeine. In such cases, the coroner would base the report on toxicology findings, which would likely indicate morphine toxicity or opioid poisoning. Figures for deaths involving morphine or opioids can be found in this dataset.