Drug-related deaths reach record high

Drug-related deaths in Scotland have reached their highest number on record, according to latest official figures.
 
There were 613 deaths in 2014 – 86 more than in 2013 – said the National Records of Scotland.
 
The figure, which has risen for the first time in three years, represents the largest number ever recorded, up 72 per cent on a decade ago.

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However, changes in the classification of drugs, which included tramadol becoming a controlled substance last June, contributed to the rise, the NRS report noted. 

Heroin and/or morphine potentially contributed to the cause of 309 deaths, while methadone was implicated in 214 deaths, fewer than in any of the previous years.
 
The number of deaths involving novel psychoactive substances (NPS) was up one to 114, with 62 of these cases in which NPS was implicated, up two on the 2013. 
 
NPS were believed to have been the sole of cause of death in seven of the 62 cases.
 
Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “The figures published today highlight that while there has been some progress in tackling problem drug use, Scotland still faces a huge challenge in tackling the damaging effects of long-term drug use among an aging cohort of individuals in Scotland.
 
“This group of individuals often have long-term, chronic health problems as a result of sustained and, in many cases, increasingly chaotic drug-use issues.
 
“Pinpointing a cause of death is never easy, but is typically complex. We are undertaking work to better understand the needs of particular sub-groups and to better understand what role the purity, or strength, of illicit drugs is playing in increasing fatalities.”

Just over a third of all drug-related deaths last year involved individuals aged between 35 and 44, while the number of 15 to 24 year olds who died rose from 32 in 2013 to 46 last year.
 
“It is extremely important that younger drug users take stock of today’s statistics however, and they should act as a vital wake-up call around the danger of using illegal drugs,” added Wheelhouse.
 
“The findings reinforce the need to continue to educate individuals as to the risks associated with using such harmful substances.”
 
Wheelhouse will meet with experts on the National Forum on Drug-Related Deaths tomorrow.
 
A working group launched by the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) will report back early next year with recommendations on how to improve responses to drug users aged 35 and over.
 
“Those who are dying are, in most cases, the most vulnerable of the people in Scotland with a drug problem,” said SDF director Dave Liddell.
 
“As a result, we must work with services to see how we can engage better with this group - working more effectively and engaging in active outreach - as there is strong evidence that engagement with services is a protective factor in reducing overdose deaths.”