TUESDAY, 22 AUGUST, 2023

Immediate release:

Drug-Related Deaths in Scotland 2022 Report

Leaders from organisations in Dundee who are working together to reduce drug-related harm in the city have responded to the National Records of Scotland report on Drug-related Deaths in Scotland 2022.

National Records of Scotland has published drug death figures for 2022 which show a fall in deaths in Dundee from 52 in 2021 to 38 in 2022. The full report can be found here.

Interim Co-Chairs of Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), NHS Tayside Director of Public Health Dr Emma Fletcher and Superintendent Nicola Shepherd said, “No one should be dying from substance-related harm, be it drugs, alcohol or tobacco. This decrease in drug deaths in Dundee is welcomed but still people, families, friends and communities are losing loved ones prematurely. Problem substance use is devastating for everyone it affects and people who develop problem substance use need all of our support. 

“All members of the ADP are committed to making a difference for the people of Dundee. In addition to continuing to improve the way in which services are delivered, we have further increased the support we provide to people who have experienced a non-fatal overdose, extended the provision and availability of naloxone, and worked across our organisations to address the wider causes of substance use.

“Dundee ADP, along with all ADPs across Scotland, has been working to implement the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards, which aim to improve the quality and scope of services supporting people who use opiate drugs. We commend the efforts of all those partners that have worked together to improve access, choice, and retention in services that provide opiate substitution as part of a comprehensive package of support for recovery.

“Whilst the implementation of the MAT standards is a priority for the ADP, we are also responding to the evidence that there is increasing use of other drugs including benzodiazepines and cocaine, as well as increased problem alcohol use across the city. This use of multiple substances increases the risk of overdose and drug death. The ADP is supporting development of a support pathway for people who use benzodiazepines.

“The ADP recognises that stigma is a very significant barrier to accessing support and services for people who use substances and their families and friends. Tackling stigma and discrimination and responding to people who use substances with kindness and compassion using trauma-informed approaches is one of our strategic priorities.

“The ADP is grateful for everyone's efforts in this area and particularly volunteers and members of the public, as we continue to strive to prevent and reduce substance-related harm and associated stigma for the people of Dundee."

There have been a number of developments in Dundee in the delivery of comprehensive harm reduction for people who use drugs, including:

• Dundee ADP has worked with charity We Are With You to support an improved pathway for people seeking residential rehabilitation, including comprehensive assessment and support prior to and following residential provision in order to enhance recovery.

• A Non-Fatal Overdose Pathway with assertive outreach is now a core service in the response to those at higher risk of drug harm. A combination of ADP and other funding is enabling third sector partner Positive Steps to extend that outreach service to other people experiencing circumstances that may increase their risk of drug-related harm.

• Dundee ADP has also developed the ‘Working better Together’ project to develop improved joint working between substance use and mental health services, recognising that many people who have experienced trauma and disadvantage have poor mental health alongside substance use.

• Dundee ADP is hosting a multi-agency learning and action planning workshop in October 2023 to consider the recommendations of the Tayside Drug Deaths Review Group report. This will enable the ADP to identify where further work is needed to reduce the risk of drug death across the city and contribute to our strategic aim of reducing drug harm.

Chair of the Dundee Partnership Councillor John Alexander said, “Our goal is clear – to cut the deaths. 

“There is absolute determination in Dundee to reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drugs in our communities. I want see Dundee become a City of Recovery, and that is only possible through the partnership strength that is displayed across organisations and the third sector in Dundee. 

“There is no simple answer available in single place for this decades-old problem. But I am convinced that we can bring the city into the future together, showing kindness, compassion and hope to everyone.” 

Dundee City Council Chief Executive and Chair of the Public Protection Chief Officer Group Greg Colgan said, “I would like to take this opportunity to praise staff in our agencies and the third sector for the immense efforts they have been making to tackle this situation in extremely challenging circumstances. 

"Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership's five-year strategy outlines a clear set of priorities which are designed to help some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and we can only deliver these by continuing our close partnerships across the city. 

"The significant progress that the city has already made in implementing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards shows how we are all working hard to make a real difference to people’s lives and improve services.” 

Notes to Editors:

• Summary of MAT Standards can be found here:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/medication-assisted-treatment-mat-standards-scotland-access-choice-support/pages/3/

• In January 2023, Dundee City ADP launched its Strategic Framework for 2023-28, committing to 5 key priorities:

1. Reduce significant harms linked to drug and alcohol use by delivering the right care in the right place at the right time

2. Promote a culture of kindness, compassion and hope, tackle stigma and discrimination and embed trauma-informed practices

3. Reduce the enduring impact of drug and alcohol use through an increased focus on prevention

4. Empower people and communities affected by substance use to participate in and influence decision-making, commissioning, planning and improvements

5. Ensure appropriate and effective governance arrangements and strengthen communications with stakeholders

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138