Scottish Drugs Forum
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18 August 2005
This report details the results of focus group surveys of former and current drug users carried out by Scottish Drugs Forum and which looked into the barriers they considered prevented drug users calling emergency services as soon as an overdose was identified.
One of the key findings of What are the views of drug users when there is an ‘overdose situation’ that requires contacting emergency services? (221.4KB, in PDF format - You will need Acrobat Reader) was that fear of police being called to an overdose scene was the foremost barrier to users calling for ambulance help more quickly.
The report was published at the Taking Action on Drug-Related Deaths conference held by the Scottish Executive in association with Scottish Drugs Forum in Glasgow on 8 August 2005.
14 March 2005
In 2004 Scottish Drugs Forum and the Glasgow Involvement Group (GIG) undertook
a consultation exercise to identify the views of a sample of injecting drug users (IDUs) on
existing needle exchange (NX) provision within Glasgow.
Structured interviews were carried out with 76 IDUs. The study has raised some important points for discussion about NX provision, including the continued provision of needles and syringes, as well as the potential increase of 24 hour access. Innovative ways to achieve this have already been mentioned in this study including vending machines and outreach schemes.
You can view/download the Glasgow Needle Exchange Survey in PDF format (345 KB) here. You will require Acrobat Reader.
31 January 2005
SdF will be part of a Scottish Executive reference group on the development of an Employability Framework aimed at moving disadvantaged people without jobs closer to the labour market. SdF's specific interest is to ensure that Framework effectively addresses the needs of people with drugs problems. It is anticipated that details of the Framework will be published in summer 2005.
SdF plays a key policy and secretariat role within this Group - SdF Director David Liddell is Secretary to the Group. Its role is to examine the current policy and practice in responding to drug misuse in Scotland and to advise on and promote the development of realistic, evidence-based responses, which could assist in the reduction of the damaging consequences of drug misuse in Scotland. Click on the Group name above to link to the Group's webpage.
31 January 2005
SdF Director David Liddell is Secretary to this Group, set up towards the end of 2004 with the aim of working co-operatively to advocate for better service provision, recognition, understanding and resources to tackle the Hepatitis C epidemic.