In March 2018 David Rhodes reported on the theft of more than 1.5 million powerful prescription painkillers from a lorry at a service station.
The story came about after David obtained an NHS "alert message" revealing the theft.
- ONS: Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales Statistical bulletins - specifically the latest figures for 2016, published in 2017. A copy of the spreadsheet can be found in this repo
- Sheet 6a contains a breakdown by substance, including Tramadol
- Ian Hamilton, lecturer in mental health and addiction studies, University of York
- Spokeswoman, NHS England in Yorkshire and the Humber (did not answer questions about why staff were told not to disclose the theft)
- Helen Pipe, controlled drugs liaison officer, West Yorkshire Police