Living in the drug death capital
Death toll in Ayrshire is worst in Continent
ayrshire and arran has been named the drug deaths capital of Europe.
the shock figure has emerged in an 88- page report for the National Drug- related Deaths Database.
Eighty- one people died from taking drugs in ayrshire and arran in 2016.
that is 9.4 per cent of the scottish total despite the county having only 6.5 per cent of the people.
the mortality rate of 23 deaths per 100,000 population put it above glasgow’s 21 and only 16 in Lanarkshire.
this week ayr Msp John scott said: “these are truly shocking figures and amongst a range of disturbing statistics contained in this report is the fact that the drug death rate in ayrshire and arran has more than trebled since 2010.”
The number of drugs deaths in Ayrshire is the highest in Europe.
The shock figure has emerged in an 88page report for the National Drug- related Deaths Database.
Eighty- one people died from taking drugs in Ayrshire and Arran in 2016.
That is 9.4% of the Scottish total despite the county having only 6.5% of the people.
The mortality rate of 23 deaths per 100,000 population put it above Glasgow’s 21 and only 16 in Lanarkshire.
And this week Ayr MSP John Scott said: “These are truly shocking figures and amongst a range of disturbing statistics contained in this report is the fact that the drug death rate in Ayrshire and Arran has more than trebled since 2010.
“We need to come down hard on the criminals who deal in drugs, but we also need to see more of an investment made in rehabilitative services, with the clear aim of getting addicts drug- free rather than maintaining them indefinitely on replacement therapies such as methadone.”
The report revealed Scotland - with 865 deaths - has the thehighest highest rateofdrugdeath rate of drug death in Europe with figures up from 695 the previous year.
Around two thirds of the casualties took their drugs and died in their own home.
Heroin/ morphine was the drug most commonly found at post mortem on 61%, following anti- depressants ( 47%), diazepam ( 46%), methadone ( 46%) and etizolam ( 33%).
More than seven in ten victims were aged over 35 compared to just 5% aged under 24.
Ayrshire and Arran Health Board Acute Director Liz Moore said: “Taking drugs and medicines which are not prescribed by a clinician can have a devastating impact on health.
“Every drug- related death is a personal tragedy and we seek to learn as much about the circumstances through our local Ayrshire and Arran Drug Death Review Group, which is made up of a group of specialists from NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Police Scotland and the Health and Social Care Partnerships. Most drug- related deaths involve multiple- substances.
We would always advise people to refrain from taking any drug or medicine not specifically prescribed to them.”