This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Investigation into drug related deaths
08/08/2005
A new report which aims to give a better picture of the
real life stories behind drug-related death statistics and
help focus efforts to tackle the toll was published
today.
The
National
Investigation into Drug Related Deaths, 2003 was
ordered by Hugh Henry following the publication of figures
showing a record 382 such deaths in Scotland in 2002.
Published today alongside the Investigation are
recommendations
for action from the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug
Misuse (SACDM) Drug Related Deaths Working Group.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said that every life
lost to drugs represents a tragic waste and we share a
responsibility to take action to reduce the toll.
The investigation found:
- 81 per cent of drug related
deaths in 2003 were male. Most - 68 per cent - were
accidental drug overdoses while 13 per cent were
classified as suicides
- At the time of death, nearly half
- 48 per cent - of overdoses occurred in the vicinity
of other people. Most - 68 per cent - deaths occurred
in a home environment, either in their own home or in a
friend's place.
- Although an ambulance was called
to the scene in 82 per cent of cases, for most victims
- 81 per cent - it was too late
- Another key finding was that more
than one drug was detected in the vast majority of
cases - 95 per cent
Speaking at the 'Taking Action on Scotland's
Drug-Related Deaths' conference, organised by the Scottish
Executive in association with the Scottish Drugs Forum, Mr
Henry said:
"Every life lost to drugs is a tragic waste. Later this
month the annual statistics on drug related deaths for 2004
will be published. From information provided by our police
forces already we know that drug deaths - having fallen in
2003 - have increased again.
"That is disappointing - not because it looks bad on a
graph but because it represents the scale of human misery
and loss we need to work together to reduce.
"I know there is a body of public opinion which doesn't
care for the plight of drug addicts. If you have been the
victim of a crime, for example a break-in or mugging
carried out to help feed a habit, your understanding is
likely to be tested. Some may see their fate as sealed and
question why the Executive bothers trying to postpone the
inevitable.
"But we will never forget our obligation to help save
lives, to provide pathways into effective treatment, and to
help get lives back on track."
The national investigation found that, while hundreds of
Scots lose their lives to drugs each year, many deaths
could have been prevented if certain steps had been taken
soon after overdose.
Mr Henry added:
"The image that many people have of the addict who has
taken their fatal fix is someone dying alone, crouched in a
corner or a bed, and being found by friends or family when
it is too late.
"Yet this investigation has found that very often there
are people around who - if they make the right call or
follow the right steps - can help save a life."
Ministers will publish an action plan based on the SACDM
recommendations later this year but already the Executive
is:
- Funding a First Aid Project to
train drug users, their families/friends and service
providers in first aid techniques and also raise
awareness of the key issues related to overdose.
- Developing a First Aid DVD, which
will demonstrate the recovery position and raise
awareness of dangers of overdose, for drug users and
their families/friends
- Providing funding of £350,000 to
the Royal College of General Practitioners to train GPs
on drug misuse management
- And as part of our ongoing
efforts to educate people about the dangers of drugs, a
Know the Score awareness raising campaign about the
dangers of heroin kicks off from today
Mr Henry said:
"The key to tackling the death toll will be learning the
lessons from this investigation and strengthening further
the close co-operation between agencies - the police, drug
action teams, the NHS, local government and throughout the
voluntary sector. Together we can save lives and begin the
process of turning them around.
"People do come back from the brink. People have taken a
second chance. It is our responsibility to do whatever we
can to prevent lives being lost and opportunities wasted.
It is the responsibility of us all to work towards a safer,
stronger Scotland."
Following the publication of figures showing a record
382 drug-related in Scotland in 2002 Hugh Henry ordered a
National
Investigation into the facts behind every one of the
deaths in 2003.
Once the investigation was completed, Ministers tasked a
SACDM working group to consider that report alongside other
information and to produce recommendations and action
points for the Executive to consider when developing its
action plan.