Scottish Drugs Forum
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12 August 2009
Speaking after the publication today of the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) drug-related death statistics for 2008, a spokeswoman for Scottish Drugs Forum, the national drug policy and information charity, said:
“The latest drug deaths figures are perturbing but not surprising, given the scale of problematic drug use in Scotland – in particular, the numbers of older drug users who are dying from overdose has been growing for a few years.
“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.
“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.
“However, as the Scottish Drugs Strategy has highlighted, we must do more at the prevention and treatment stages of tackling drugs problems, not only for older drug users but for all age groups.
“This will require a vast spectrum of co-ordinated, well-managed, well-resourced and innovative responses to be targeted at some of the most disadvantaged people in our society, many of whom are struggling with poverty and complex psycho-social problems.
“Raising household income, providing early years and family support to those in need, ensuring person-centred treatment and rehabilitation genuinely suits the needs of drug users, addressing housing needs and providing routes out of harmful drug use - particularly in the form of education, training and employment opportunities - are just some of the recovery issues which will require time, energy, resources and commitment.
“It is vital that the focus remains on achieving these objectives despite the current economic recession.”