Menu
23/07/2008
Drug Abuse Accounts For 'A Third Of Death', Says Report
Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a study published on bmj.com.
Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing.
Traditionally this has been blamed on the higher levels of deprivation in Scotland. Yet over half the difference between Scottish and English deaths cannot be accounted for by higher levels of deprivation. This puzzling 'excess' of Scottish deaths has become referred to as the 'Scottish effect'.
Professor Bloor and colleagues from the University of Glasgow, analysed how many of these unaccounted-for deaths were the result of drug abuse.
They say that the published data on 'drug related deaths' in Scotland is properly and purposely restrictive because only deaths which are a direct result of the pharmacological effect of taking an illegal drug i.e. an overdose, are counted.
This, they argue, inadvertently hides a much wider problem of deaths linked to drug taking such as blood borne infections, suicide and violent assaults.
In order to estimate the number of deaths in a population of drug users they matched mortality data from the General Register Office for Scotland with participants in a study on Drug Outcomes Research in Scotland (DORIS).
As part of that study, 1033 problem drug users who started a new bout of treatment in one of 33 drug treatment agencies across Scotland were interviewed between 2001 and 2002.
They were followed up between 2004 and 2005.
Of those who didn't have follow-up interviews the researchers found 38 had died. Only 22, just over half, of those deaths had been recorded as drug-related.
Of the other deaths, six were suicides (including three overdoses from medication such as paracetamol), three were due to an infection associated with drug abuse, two were due to assaults, one was due to alcoholic liver disease and one due to exposure.
Previous work has shown that 1.84% of the Scottish population had a problem with drug abuse, compared to 0.99% in England.
Applying the rate of deaths of drug users in the DORIS study to the wider population of drug users in Scotland, allowed the authors to estimate that 32% of Scotland's excess mortality rate is due to the greater prevalence of problem drug abuse in the country.
Compared to smoking, excess drinking, or lack of exercise, relatively few people have a problem with drug abuse.
However, the risk of death is high - drug users in the DORIS study were found to be 12 times as likely to die as someone from the general population.
Professor Bloor and colleagues conclude that successful public health campaigns to reduce the number of people taking drugs "would have a strong impact on overall mortality in both Scotland and England".
(DS)
Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing.
Traditionally this has been blamed on the higher levels of deprivation in Scotland. Yet over half the difference between Scottish and English deaths cannot be accounted for by higher levels of deprivation. This puzzling 'excess' of Scottish deaths has become referred to as the 'Scottish effect'.
Professor Bloor and colleagues from the University of Glasgow, analysed how many of these unaccounted-for deaths were the result of drug abuse.
They say that the published data on 'drug related deaths' in Scotland is properly and purposely restrictive because only deaths which are a direct result of the pharmacological effect of taking an illegal drug i.e. an overdose, are counted.
This, they argue, inadvertently hides a much wider problem of deaths linked to drug taking such as blood borne infections, suicide and violent assaults.
In order to estimate the number of deaths in a population of drug users they matched mortality data from the General Register Office for Scotland with participants in a study on Drug Outcomes Research in Scotland (DORIS).
As part of that study, 1033 problem drug users who started a new bout of treatment in one of 33 drug treatment agencies across Scotland were interviewed between 2001 and 2002.
They were followed up between 2004 and 2005.
Of those who didn't have follow-up interviews the researchers found 38 had died. Only 22, just over half, of those deaths had been recorded as drug-related.
Of the other deaths, six were suicides (including three overdoses from medication such as paracetamol), three were due to an infection associated with drug abuse, two were due to assaults, one was due to alcoholic liver disease and one due to exposure.
Previous work has shown that 1.84% of the Scottish population had a problem with drug abuse, compared to 0.99% in England.
Applying the rate of deaths of drug users in the DORIS study to the wider population of drug users in Scotland, allowed the authors to estimate that 32% of Scotland's excess mortality rate is due to the greater prevalence of problem drug abuse in the country.
Compared to smoking, excess drinking, or lack of exercise, relatively few people have a problem with drug abuse.
However, the risk of death is high - drug users in the DORIS study were found to be 12 times as likely to die as someone from the general population.
Professor Bloor and colleagues conclude that successful public health campaigns to reduce the number of people taking drugs "would have a strong impact on overall mortality in both Scotland and England".
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 September 2015
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
25 August 2015
Highest Ever Number Of Drug-Related Deaths Recorded In Scotland
The highest ever number of drug-related deaths in Scotland has been recorded in 2014, according to a new report. The National Records of Scotland report revealed 613 drug-related deaths were registered in in 2014, 86 (16%) more than in 2013. Males accounted for 74% of the deaths in 2014.
Highest Ever Number Of Drug-Related Deaths Recorded In Scotland
The highest ever number of drug-related deaths in Scotland has been recorded in 2014, according to a new report. The National Records of Scotland report revealed 613 drug-related deaths were registered in in 2014, 86 (16%) more than in 2013. Males accounted for 74% of the deaths in 2014.
31 August 2012
Heroin And Morphine Drug Deaths Fall
Heroin and morphine are still the substances most commonly involved in drug poisoning deaths, according to The Office for National Statistics. In 2011 there was a 25 per cent drop in fatalities, with 596 deaths.
Heroin And Morphine Drug Deaths Fall
Heroin and morphine are still the substances most commonly involved in drug poisoning deaths, according to The Office for National Statistics. In 2011 there was a 25 per cent drop in fatalities, with 596 deaths.
23 May 2006
Panel supports drug 'shooting galleries'
Drug consumption rooms should be given a trial in Britain, a panel of experts has said.
Panel supports drug 'shooting galleries'
Drug consumption rooms should be given a trial in Britain, a panel of experts has said.
17 October 2003
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
