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Database to collate drug deaths Database to collate drug deaths
(about 10 hours later)
A database of personal details of drug death victims in Scotland is to be kept in an effort to prevent fatalities.A database of personal details of drug death victims in Scotland is to be kept in an effort to prevent fatalities.
Details will include names, medical and social history, drug use history, recent events such as bereavement or loss of a job, and post-mortem results.Details will include names, medical and social history, drug use history, recent events such as bereavement or loss of a job, and post-mortem results.
From Thursday, the detailed information will be collated to try to identify trends and create treatment strategies.From Thursday, the detailed information will be collated to try to identify trends and create treatment strategies.
Analysis from the General Register Office for Scotland showed 455 people died in 2007 - a record number.Analysis from the General Register Office for Scotland showed 455 people died in 2007 - a record number.
Scots Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said: "Comprehensive information about every life lost to drugs in Scotland will be gathered on the national drug-deaths database - allowing us to look much closer at the circumstances surrounding each one rather than simply counting numbers.Scots Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said: "Comprehensive information about every life lost to drugs in Scotland will be gathered on the national drug-deaths database - allowing us to look much closer at the circumstances surrounding each one rather than simply counting numbers.
We owe it to those whose lives have been lost to drugs to learn lessons where we can Fergus EwingCommunity Safety Minister "This detailed information will be studied to look at emerging patterns or trends and to put in place interventions to seek to prevent future fatalities."We owe it to those whose lives have been lost to drugs to learn lessons where we can Fergus EwingCommunity Safety Minister "This detailed information will be studied to look at emerging patterns or trends and to put in place interventions to seek to prevent future fatalities."
Mr Ewing said the past year had seen the launch of the first national drugs strategy since devolution.Mr Ewing said the past year had seen the launch of the first national drugs strategy since devolution.
He went on: "The strategy, unanimously endorsed by parliament, places a clear focus on recovery, and supporting drug users to rebuild their lives and get off drugs.He went on: "The strategy, unanimously endorsed by parliament, places a clear focus on recovery, and supporting drug users to rebuild their lives and get off drugs.
"At the same time, we owe it to those whose lives have been lost to drugs, to learn lessons where we can and also ensure that their loved ones are supported in bereavement.""At the same time, we owe it to those whose lives have been lost to drugs, to learn lessons where we can and also ensure that their loved ones are supported in bereavement."
Heroin deaths
Heroin or morphine was involved in 64% of deaths in 2007 in Scotland, while 25% involved the heroin substitute, methadone.Heroin or morphine was involved in 64% of deaths in 2007 in Scotland, while 25% involved the heroin substitute, methadone.
Ken Barrie, senior lecturer at the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Studies at the University of the West of Scotland, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "At the moment two-thirds of drug-related deaths are simply listed towards a particular substance like heroin or methadone.
"Alcohol is a strong feature in that but it doesn't actually tell us how or why the person got to that kind of stage.
"The other thing that a database might help us with is a third of drug-related deaths are actually unknown to services."
The database followed pilot schemes in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, and Dumfries and Galloway.The database followed pilot schemes in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, and Dumfries and Galloway.