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Drugs death figures in Scotland expected to rise Drug deaths in Scotland increased by 15% in 2015
(about 4 hours later)
Drugs deaths in Scotland are likely to show a substantial rise when official figures are published later. Drugs deaths in Scotland hit a record high in 2015, official statistics have revealed.
The figure for 2014 - 613 - was 16% up on the previous year, with deaths of older drug users responsible for much of the increase. A total of 706 people died as a result of drug abuse in 2015 - the largest number ever recorded, according to a report by the National Records of Scotland.
These users are least likely to seek help from treatment services. It represents a 15% increase on the figure for 2014, when 613 people died.
The number of drug deaths in Scotland have been steadily increasing since 1995, when 426 deaths were recorded.
Other findings include:
The deaths of older drug users are responsible for much of the increase as they are least likely to seek help from treatment services.
Health professionals and drug charities have called for supervised heroin consumption to be approved to allow users could receive drugs safely.Health professionals and drug charities have called for supervised heroin consumption to be approved to allow users could receive drugs safely.
In 1995 there were 426 drugs deaths - and the number has been increasing steadily ever since. The prospect of a further significant rise in 2015 frustrated Dr Roy Robertson, chair of the National Forum on Drug Related Deaths.
The prospect of a further significant rise in 2015 has frustrated Dr Roy Robertson, chair of the National Forum on Drug Related Deaths. Speaking before the figures were published, he said: "I am struggling to find the right tone and the appropriate response to what we expect will be bad news again.
"I am struggling to find the right tone and the appropriate response to what we expect will be bad news again," he said.
"Who is to blame? What should we do about it? Why have we failed to have an impact despite our efforts?""Who is to blame? What should we do about it? Why have we failed to have an impact despite our efforts?"
'Service demand''Service demand'
Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) identified one of the reasons for the continuing rise in drugs deaths as older drug users who are dying after a long history of abuse.Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) identified one of the reasons for the continuing rise in drugs deaths as older drug users who are dying after a long history of abuse.
An interim report of SDF's expert working group on older drug users said: "Many people with a drug problem did not anticipate or prepare for old age.An interim report of SDF's expert working group on older drug users said: "Many people with a drug problem did not anticipate or prepare for old age.
"Over half of those with drug problems in Scotland are now aged 35 years or over, and face ageing much sooner than the general population in terms of morbidity and life expectance.""Over half of those with drug problems in Scotland are now aged 35 years or over, and face ageing much sooner than the general population in terms of morbidity and life expectance."
It added: "It is evident current service planning has not adequately taken account of this group of the consequences of their ageing in terms of service demand."It added: "It is evident current service planning has not adequately taken account of this group of the consequences of their ageing in terms of service demand."
One answer being proposed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is a pilot service for heroin-assisted treatment in Glasgow city centre.One answer being proposed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is a pilot service for heroin-assisted treatment in Glasgow city centre.
A report in June 2016 from NHSGGC, "Taking away the chaos," suggested injectable, pharmaceutical-grade heroin would be administered in a specialist outpatient facility operating under clinical supervision with strict safeguards.A report in June 2016 from NHSGGC, "Taking away the chaos," suggested injectable, pharmaceutical-grade heroin would be administered in a specialist outpatient facility operating under clinical supervision with strict safeguards.
The health board argued such a move would benefit both users and the wider community.The health board argued such a move would benefit both users and the wider community.
The number of drug-acquired HIV infections in Glasgow rose to 47 in 2015, from a normal annual average of 10 - and is expected to top 60 in 2016.The number of drug-acquired HIV infections in Glasgow rose to 47 in 2015, from a normal annual average of 10 - and is expected to top 60 in 2016.
And it said public injecting in the city centre, in closes, lanes, car parks and public toilets causes a further risk.And it said public injecting in the city centre, in closes, lanes, car parks and public toilets causes a further risk.