DRUG USE IS 17 TIMES HIGHER IN SCOTLAND'S POOREST AREAS COMPARED TO THE WEALTHIEST
This is closely followed by Glasgow City (0.35) and Inverclyde (0.29), which includes the towns of Greenock and Port Glasgow.
The City of Edinburgh rate (0.17) is slightly lower than the average for the whole of Scotland but is still much higher than the UK average.
For a city of just 148,000 people to have 72 drug- related deaths in a year is startling.
According to NRS, more than half of homeless deaths in 2019 were also drug-related. An estimated 216 people experiencing homelessness died in 2019, according to NRS statistics, representing an increase of 21 deaths (ten per cent) when compared to 2018 estimates.
Meanwhile, more than half a million pounds has been awarded to eight projects working to deliver more support to people living with drug addiction. Each of the eight projects will use their share of the £514,000 of investment to increase staffing levels in their work with people with multiple complex needs.
In Forth Valley, the Change Grow Live charity is partnering with the Falkirk Alcohol and Drug Partnership to develop a ‘one-stop’ Community Recovery Hub where individuals can access support.
The charity has been awarded £48,704 for an Advanced Nurse Practitioner who will help people access the care they need, including mental health, physical health and drug services.
‘We know we must ensure fast and appropriate access to the treatment which is right for each individual and we recognise services must support those living with drug addiction by addressing all of the underlying challenges they face - drug addiction is often just the symptom,’ said Minister for Drugs Policy, Angela Constance.
“This funding from the Drug Deaths Taskforce Innovation and Development Fund is designed to help frontline, third sector and community organisations to test innovative ways of reducing drug related deaths. This work is vital to ensure that services offer the type of wrap-around care many people need.
‘I have said a national mission is needed to tackle the drug deaths emergency Scotland faces. We have already allocated £5 million before the end of this financial year and £250 million over the next five years. This will ensure immediate action on getting people into treatment and making it easier for them to access both community services and residential rehabilitation.’
Connecting Scotland award digitally empowers SDF volunteers
Five Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) volunteers have been awarded laptops and internet access equipment from Connecting Scotland to assist with their volunteering duties.
The five volunteers are part of SDF’s project in East Ayrshire, an initiative that trains and supports people with experience of drug or alcohol problems to carry out research with the people who are currently experiencing substance use issues.
‘This award from Connecting Scotland will make a huge difference to the lives of our volunteers and their families in East Ayrshire,’ said SDF’s User Involvement Development Officer, Angharad Englefield Nelson, who supports the volunteers.
‘Previously, the volunteers could only access group meetings or training via their phones whichwas very limiting and made it difficult to fully contribute and get the most out of each session.’
“The Connecting Scotland programme aims to reach 50,000 people by the end of 2021 – to find out more visit
https://connecting.scot/
MORE THAN HALF OF HOMELESS DEATHS IN 2019 WERE DRUG-RELATED
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