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RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Improving Responses to Overdoses
RECOMMENDATION 1
The Scottish Executive and Alcohol and Drug Action Teams ( ADATs) should consider methods to raise the level of resuscitation skills among drug users, family members, friends, and social networks. It is recommended that the provision of information and training for families and friends of drug users and drug users themselves is further developed across Scotland. |
The Executive supports this recommendation.
The number of drug-related deaths could be substantially reduced if appropriate swift action was taken by those who witness overdose. Research shows that many overdose deaths occur in the presence of others. It is necessary to provide drug users, their families and friends with appropriate information resources to help them understand how to save a life.
TAKING ACTION
- To help inform drug users, their families, friends and service providers about the risks associated with overdose and dispel some of the myths surrounding resuscitation, the Executive has produced a DVD - 'Going Over'. The DVD will be made available in Scotland, free of charge, together with other overdose awareness materials via Exchange Supplies 3, on behalf of the Know the Score 4 ( KTS) campaign.
- The Executive has funded the Scottish Drugs Forum ( SDF) to provide first aid training to drug users, their families, friends and service providers. Funding initially provided for one year will be continued in 2006 and 2007. 'Going Over' will form part of the first-aid training sessions.
- All ADATs will make available to services their own leaflets or those provided by KTS which cover the dangers of mixing drugs including alcohol.
- ADATs will ensure services inform non-injecting populations about the dangers of drug overdose through counselling sessions and the provision of written information to clients in current treatment and rehabilitation services, where the majority of current clients are not injecting.
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