New figures showing there were almost 1200 drug-related deaths in Scotland last year have been described as shocking by Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick.
The National Records of Scotland statistics reveal there were 1,187 drug-related deaths registered in Scotland in 2018, the largest number ever recorded.
Mr FitzPatrick has said that what Scotland faces in terms of drug-related deaths is an emergency. Earlier this month, he appointed Professor Catriona Matheson as chair of a new taskforce which will advise on what further changes, in practice or in law, could help save lives and reduce harm.
In addition, the Scottish Government’s refreshed alcohol and drug strategy, backed by further investment of £20 million a year, sets out a range of measures to prevent drug-related harm. This includes an eight point treatment plan which outlines ways of improving access to effective services and interventions. It also focuses on how we support those who are most at risk and treat the wider issues affecting them.
Commenting on today’s figures, Mr FitzPatrick said: “The number of people who have lost their lives because of drug use is shocking. It is vital this tragedy is treated as a public health issue, and we are prepared to take innovative and bold measures in order to save the lives of those most at risk.
“Last week, I gave evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee and I asked for help in persuading the UK Government to either act now to enable us to implement a range of public health focused responses – including the introduction of supervised drug consumption facilities – or devolve the power to the Scottish Parliament so that we can act.
“I want to ensure that the work of the new taskforce which I have established is driven by strong evidence and the voices of those with experience of using drugs, and their families, are heard. I am determined to shape our services in every walk of life to prevent harm and reduce the appalling number of deaths.
“So I will give consideration to any proposals they bring forward which may help to tackle this issue and, ultimately, save lives.”
Chair of the Drug Deaths Taskforce, Professor Catriona Matheson said: “My thoughts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones.
“These figures bring the scale of the problem we face in Scotland into sharp focus. The need for urgent action is clear and the taskforce gives us a mechanism to do that.
“It is imperative that the taskforce identifies ways in which we can do more to save the lives of those who are most at risk and we will look carefully at what has worked in other parts of the UK and internationally to ensure we apply strong evidence-based practice.”
Fully expecting these dreadful figures, support group Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs launched a campaign earlier this month to highlight the impact drug misuse is having on families in communities all across the country. The group is calling for radical change to the support being offered to families affected by the scourge of addiction:
The latest rise in drug-related deaths in Scotland was widely predicted, but it is always upsetting to hear about this number of deaths which could have been prevented. Behind these numbers are families. Whole families who continue to be devastated, left heartbroken, frustrated and angry that they first lost their loved ones to addiction, and then ultimately to death.
The number of deaths we are hearing about today is shocking, but there is an even larger group of people in Scotland who remain at high risk of serious harm and death. Many people within this group are still alive thanks to the tireless, unrecognised and unsupported efforts of their families.
From meeting their basic needs for food and shelter to helping them engage with an inflexible treatment system which judges and excludes, to offering them enduring love, connection and hope for the future. Families are playing a central role in saving and preserving life.
To mark the publication of the statistics, the charity Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs launched #BehindTheNumbers at the start of July.
#BehindTheNumbers is a campaign which highlights and champions the hidden and unrecognised contribution by families in saving and preserving life.
The campaign has published its first two short films where family members share examples of service and system failure, leaving them holding and managing risks which should be shared with services. Family members tell powerful stories of how supporting and involving families in treatment can improve outcomes for both individuals and services, and that change is possible when families gain their voice and services begin to listen.
Justina Murray, CEO, said: “Our thoughts today are of course with the 1,187 families who lost a loved one last year. But we know they don’t need to wait for these statistics to be published to feel bereft, let down and angry.
“This may be a day where the media and the policy-makers briefly shift their focus onto drug-related deaths, but families affected by drug addiction continue to face significant levels of pressure, harm and risk every day.
“They want to see real change, including recognition and support for their caring role, better access to high quality treatment and care for their loved ones, and the opportunity to work in partnership with services to reduce harm and promote recovery. Our #BehindTheNumbers films show we have a long way to go in achieving this, but change must come.”
The film clips and further information about #BehindTheNumbers can be viewed on the Scottish Families’ website: https://www.sfad.org.uk/behind-the-numbers
187 drug-deaths in 2018: up 27% in a year
There were 1,187 drug-related deaths registered in Scotland in 2018, 253 (27%) more than in 2017, according to figures released today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS).
This is the largest number of drug-related deaths in Scotland since the series began in 1996, and more than double the figure for 2008 (574).
These statistics are contained in “Drug-related Deaths in Scotland in 2018”, which also reveals that:
• males accounted for 72% of the drug-related deaths in 2018
• there were 442 drug-related deaths of people aged 35-44 (37% of all drug-related deaths), 345 deaths in the 45-54 age-group (29%) and 217 drug-related deaths of 25-34 year olds (18%)
• the NHS Board areas with the most drug-related deaths in 2018 were:
- Greater Glasgow & Clyde – 394 (33%);
- Lothian – 152 (13%);
- Lanarkshire – 130 (11%); and
- Tayside – 109 (9%)
• opiates or opioids, such as heroin, morphine and methadone, were implicated in, or potentially contributed to, 1,021 deaths (86% of the total number in 2018). Benzodiazepines such as diazepam and etizolam were implicated in, or potentially contributed to, 792 deaths (67%)
• Scotland’s figures imply a drug-death rate that is nearly three times that of the UK as a whole. It is also higher than that reported for any other EU country. (However, countries differ in how deaths are recorded and coded, and there may be under-reporting in some cases– see Annex G of the publication)
NRS also published statistics of deaths in Scotland which were caused by volatile substances (which have recently averaged around a dozen deaths per year), and deaths by helium.
See full report below:
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