MEXICO CITY - More than 28,000 people have died in drug-related attacks since 2006, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon launched a military offensive on organized crime, according to official figures released Tuesday.

"We're at slightly more than 28,000 deaths. We have to recognize that the violence is progressing," said Guillermo Valdes, director of the Center for Research and National Security (CISEN), in comments at a forum on security.

Mexico recorded almost 1,000 clashes between security forces and criminals in public places in the same period, Valdes said.

Calderon deployed more than 50,000 troops to help police take on the country's powerful drug gangs when he took office three and a half years ago.

But violent deaths have since spiralled, and the army has been accused of a growing number of rights abuses.