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Scottish drug deaths up by more than 120
There were 1,172 deaths as a result of drug misuse in Scotland last year , according to the latest figures from National Records of Scotland ( NRS ) – 121 more than in 2022 .
Opiates and opioids – including methadone – were implicated in 80 per cent of the deaths , benzodiazepines in 58 per cent , cocaine in 41 per cent and gabapentin and / or pregabalin in 38 per cent .
People in Scotland ’ s most deprived areas are more than 15 times more likely to die from drug misuse compared to those in the least deprived , NRS points out , with men twice as likely to die a drug-related death than women . Glasgow and Dundee saw the highest rates of deaths , while East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire recorded the lowest . While the overall figure is up on the previous year it is the second lowest total since 2017 , with 2022 recording the lowest . However , Scotland ’ s drug-related death rate is four times higher than it was in 2000 .
The level of deaths remained ‘ hugely concerning ’ and underlined ‘ why we will continue
VAPES are now the most popular stop-smoking aid among those who have successfully quit , according to analysis from ASH . Around 5.6m adults in the UK – roughly 11 per cent of the adult population – currently vape , more than half of whom have stopped smoking .
Among people who have successfully quit in the last five years , around 2.7m people used vapes to do so , the charity points out . Of the 5.6m vapers , 39 per cent are still smoking and 8 per cent have never to do all we can to reduce harm and deaths caused by drugs ’ said health secretary Neil Gray . ‘ We ’ re taking a wide range of actions through our £ 250m national mission on drugs , including opening a safer drug consumption facility pilot , working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities and widening access to life-saving naloxone . We will also continue to improve access to residential rehab , where we ’ re on track to meet our target for additional placements , and drive the rollout of medication assisted treatment ( MAT ) standards to make treatment and support available more quickly .’
The government would also intensify its efforts to respond to the growing threat from ‘ highly dangerous , super-strong synthetic opioids like nitazenes in an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply ’, he added .
Immediately prior to the publication of the figures the Scottish Government said that extra money would be available for residential rehab places for local partnerships facing high levels of demand . However
smoked . The survey also found that half of adults mistakenly believe that vaping is just as – or more – harmful than smoking , representing ‘ high levels of public misperception ’. The data is based on analysis of YouGov ’ s annual survey of e-cigarette use , which has been carried out since 2010 and updated to include results from 2024 .
ASH is calling for a new tobacco and vapes bill to be introduced urgently to address high levels of teen vaping , but wants to ensure
‘ We ’ re taking a wide range of actions ... including opening a safer drug consumption facility pilot , and widening access to life-saving naloxone .’
NEIL GRAY
FAVOR UK ’ s Annemarie Ward branded the announcement ‘ pathological spin ’ and a ‘ superficial gesture ’ in anticipation of the increased drug death total .
Vapes help three million to quit
that the new regulations don ’ t ‘ undermine the value of vapes for those smoking ’. Although the bill was shelved by the previous government it was included in the King ’ s Speech in July this year .
‘ Smoking is still the country ’ s biggest preventable killer and vaping is one of many tools needed to help smokers quit if we are to create a smoke-free country for current as well as future generations ,’ said ASH deputy chief executive Hazel Cheeseman .
The government confirmed to the Scottish Sun that officials had had access to the new figures since 13 August , a week before they were officially published .
The UK ’ s first official drug consumption room pilot is now set to open on 21 October . The facility , located on Hunter Street in Glasgow ’ s east end , will include injecting booths and medical rooms and operate from 9am to 9pm , seven days a week . Up to 30 service users will be able to access it at any time .
Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership ( HSCP ) said that feedback from engagement sessions with people with lived experience had led to some late changes to the layout , including the addition of a shower room , clothing store and secure outside area . ‘ We also consulted with lived and living experience groups on a name for the new service ,’ HSCP added – the facility will be known as ‘ The Thistle ’. ‘ Following a successful recruitment process – with the support of lived experience reference group members within our interview panels – we ’ re now creating a fully comprehensive training and induction plan for all staff members ,’ said operational manager Dan Daly . ‘ We look forward to working closely with all services , promoting collaboration and inclusivity for all .’ Drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2023 at https :// www . nrscotland . gov . uk
‘ Vaping is one of many tools needed to help smokers quit if we are to create a smoke-free country for current as well as future generations .’
HAZEL CHEESEMAN holyrood . com
4 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2024 WWW . DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS . COM