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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Drug death toll at record levels | Drug death toll at record levels |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Scotland's drug death toll has risen by more than a quarter in the last year, new figures have suggested. | |
| Figures from the General Register Office revealed drugs killed 574 people in 2008, up from 455 the year before. | Figures from the General Register Office revealed drugs killed 574 people in 2008, up from 455 the year before. |
| The report found the number of deaths more than doubled in a decade and said the long-term trend "appears to be steadily upwards". | |
| It revealed deaths were rising most sharply among older people and falling among the under-25s. | It revealed deaths were rising most sharply among older people and falling among the under-25s. |
| The Scottish Government published its drugs action strategy in May last year. | The Scottish Government published its drugs action strategy in May last year. |
| Older drugs users not in treatment services can lose hope about their chances of overcoming their drug problem Scottish Drugs Forum spokesman | Older drugs users not in treatment services can lose hope about their chances of overcoming their drug problem Scottish Drugs Forum spokesman |
| Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said: "As a legacy of long-term drug misuse over recent decades, drug-related deaths may continue to rise over the next few years, especially among older men, which is exactly why we have put in place a strategy to turn the situation around. | Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said: "As a legacy of long-term drug misuse over recent decades, drug-related deaths may continue to rise over the next few years, especially among older men, which is exactly why we have put in place a strategy to turn the situation around. |
| "It's a long-term problem with no single solution. | "It's a long-term problem with no single solution. |
| "That is why we must continue to take action to tackle this issue now and for the long-term." | "That is why we must continue to take action to tackle this issue now and for the long-term." |
| A spokesman for the Scottish Drugs Forum said more must be done at the prevention and treatment stages of tackling drugs problems. | A spokesman for the Scottish Drugs Forum said more must be done at the prevention and treatment stages of tackling drugs problems. |
| 'Socially isolated' | 'Socially isolated' |
| He said: "It is difficult to tell exactly why older drug users are increasingly featuring among the drug death statistics. However, many will have been using drugs - primarily heroin - for a long time. | He said: "It is difficult to tell exactly why older drug users are increasingly featuring among the drug death statistics. However, many will have been using drugs - primarily heroin - for a long time. |
| "Their physical health will have deteriorated and many will have become increasingly socially isolated over the years, which could make them more vulnerable to accidental or deliberate overdose. | "Their physical health will have deteriorated and many will have become increasingly socially isolated over the years, which could make them more vulnerable to accidental or deliberate overdose. |
| "In addition, older drugs users not in treatment services can lose hope about their chances of overcoming their drug problem and living a normal life." | "In addition, older drugs users not in treatment services can lose hope about their chances of overcoming their drug problem and living a normal life." |
| The number of drug-related deaths have increased in eight of the past 10 years. | The number of drug-related deaths have increased in eight of the past 10 years. |
| The majority of deaths were among men, at 80%. The 35-44 age bracket made up 30% or drug-related fatalities and 37% were aged between 25-34 years old. | The majority of deaths were among men, at 80%. The 35-44 age bracket made up 30% or drug-related fatalities and 37% were aged between 25-34 years old. |
| The Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area accounted for 34% of the deaths, Lothian 16% and Tayside 9%. | The Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area accounted for 34% of the deaths, Lothian 16% and Tayside 9%. |
| Heroin and morphine were present in the body in 59% of the deaths. | Heroin and morphine were present in the body in 59% of the deaths. |