Hospital admissions related to drug use have soared while government drugs death taskforce faces pandemic pressure
Drug-related admissions to Scotland' s hospitals have more than trebled in just over two decades, according to new figures.
Rates for admissions linked to opioid s–such as heroin, morphine and codeine –increased by more than 400 per cent over the period between 1996-97 and 2018-19. Meanwhile, hospital admission for cocaine soared, with the figures showing a rise of 3,065 per cent over the period.
The latest data from Public Health Scotland covers hospital cases where inpatient treatment was needed and does not include accident and emergency patients who were not admitted for treatment.
These showed that in 201819 there were 259.9 hospital admissions linked to drugs per 100,000 people – up from 73.38 in 1996-97.
The report said :“Between 1996-97 and 2018-19, there was a greater than threefold increase in the rate of drugrelated hospital stays in Scotland from 73 to 260 stays per 100,000 population.”
Admissions linked to opioid use increased from 26.15 per 100,000 of population in 199697 to 132.74 per 100,000 in 2018-19. Over the same period, admissions linked to cocaine use increased from 0.98 per 100,000 to 31.02 per 100,000, according to the data.
Admissions involving those aged between 35 and 44 increased from 56 to 501 per 100,000 population between 1996-7 and 2018-19.
The figures also showed that admissions for 15 to 24-yearolds increased from 126 per 100,000 population in 201213 to 206 per 100,000 six years later.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Although these statistics pre - date the pandemic, they continue to show that drug and alcohol support must be maintained as priority services and we have ensured those at risk have access to these services throughout the current crisis.
"Our drug death taskforce has continued to meet during the pandemic and has made a number of recommendations that were acted upon to mitigate harms from Covid-19-related service disruption and the potential impact.
“We want to ensure everyone who requires drug and alcohol treatment has access to it and our budget commits a further £20 million to reduce the harm caused by drugs.”