Probe call as a second Scots teen is killed by stress pills
FRESH concerns have been raised over anti-anxiety drugs after they were linked to the death of a second Scottish teenager in two years.
It was reported yesterday that Lucy Curran, 16, died of ‘suspected propranolol intoxication’ in February, according to her death certificate.
The death of the teenager, from Giffnock near Glasgow, comes two years after another girl the same age overdosed on the powerful beta-blockers, which she was prescribed by a trainee GP.
Britney Mazzoncini’s mother, Annette McKenzie, has since campaigned for tighter controls on propranolol.
Mental health campaigners have now called for an urgent review of the availability of anxiety treatments across the country.
Toni Giugliano, policy and public affairs manager at Mental Health Foundation Scotland, said: ‘We need to know what antidepressants are being prescribed and for what reasons. The significant increase in the use of antidepressants over the last ten years is down to them being used to treat physical health issues as well as mental health issues.
‘Amitriptyline, for example, is an anti-depressant also used to treat a variety of physical problems, such as pain relief and migraines.
‘We need to have some research conducted which looks at how GP’s are prescribing them and what alternative services are available.’
He said that in addition to medicines, and often instead of a prescription, some patients with depression or anxiety are offered ‘talking therapies’. These counselling services are in high demand and can have long waiting lists.
Mr Giugliano added: ‘We have to ask if anti-depressants are being prescribed because of a lack of alternative services. What is needed is a report on what is available, health board by health board.’
Yesterday, Miss McKenzie spoke of her shock at learning that Lucy’s death was being linked to the same drug that killed her daughter two years ago.
The 36-year-old, of Hillington, near Glasgow, said: ‘How many more deaths will it take until the Scottish Government takes action?’
She said that, unknown to her, 16-year-old Britney had been prescribed 84 tablets of propranolol on her first visit to a new GP, the strongest dosage available.
Miss McKenzie added: ‘I’ve been fighting since January 2017. It’s time to take action. Britney should still be here and so should Lucy.’
She said learning about Lucy’s death was like ‘a kick in the teeth’ and indicated that ‘nothing had been learned’ from the loss of her daughter.
Miss McKenzie said: ‘I couldn’t believe the same thing had happened pened again to another young girl and it brought back so many things I’ve tried to shut out.
‘But I will always speak out and fight for my daughter’s life and everyone’s child who can’t speak for themselves.’
The link between Lucy’s death and propranolol was reported in The Sunday Mail yesterday. When approached by this newspaper Lucy’s mother, Sheila Curran, declined to comment.
Lucy, a pupil at St Ninian’s in Giffnock, died suddenly at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and her death was initially unexplained.
It was further investigated by the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit at the Crown Office.
On Saturday evening the Glasgow band Single By Sunday, whose members were friends of the teenager, played a charity concert at Glasgow’s Garage nightclub in her memory.
Hundreds turned out for the event, with all proceeds going to music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins at the request of her family.
A spokesman for the Crown Office said: ‘The investigation into these deaths, under the direction of Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, are complete.
‘After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances, the procurator fiscal concluded that no further action was required in either death.’
‘We need research conducted’
‘It’s time to take action’