Drugs deaths almost double in decade Fatalities have devastating impact on families, says health boss
The number of people perishing from drugr e l ated deat h s in Renfrewshire has almost doubled in the last 10 years.
New statistics released by The National Records of Scotland show 38 people died last year compared with 21 in 2007.
Opiates, such as heroin, morphine and methadone remain the biggest killer across the region, after being linked with two thirds of deaths.
Of the 38 deaths last year, most came through accidental overdosing, with 33 people losing their life this way.
Men continue to be more than twice as likely than woman to die in drug-related circumstances, with 27 passing away compared to 11 woman.
In 2007, the deaths of 21 people in Renfrewshire were linked to drugs. The yearly average since then, is 28 people per year.
The numbers for Scotland hit a record high in 2017, with 934 people passing away through drug-related issues.
The Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, says the figures show a multiple drug use becoming a factor in drug deaths.
A spokesman said: “Each drugrelated death referred to in these figures represents an individual tragedy that has a devastating impact on families and loved ones and our thoughts are with them.
“The evidence shows that positive engagement with treatment services substantially reduces the risk of a drug overdose.
“Renfrewshire’s alcohol and drug services provide a comprehensive, wide- ranging service that is focused on harmreduction and recovery.
“The circumstances surrounding a drug-related death can also be very complex and involve multiple factors.
“However, these figures do reflect that victims of drugrelated death are growing older, with underlying health conditions increasingly becoming a factor.
“We are also seeing increased drug potency, especially in heroin and benzodiazepines.
“In addition, an increasing number of deaths involve multiple- drug use, which points towards the often chaotic lifestyles of those affected by addiction issues.
The Scottish Government is currently drawing up a new drugs policies, to update the “road to recovery” strategy, which has had £689 million invested in it since 2008.
New public health minister Joe Fitzpatrick offered his “deepest condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones”.
He said: “We will continue to do all we can to prevent others from experiencing similar heartbreak and we are developing a refreshed substance use strategy.
“This is in direct response to the changing drugs landscape, the continued rise in drug- related deaths and the recognition that current services do not meet the needs of all the people who need support.”