Number of drug related hospital admissions on the rise in Dumfries and Galloway
Colin Smyth MSP is warning Scotland is still in the grip of a drugs crisis
The number of drug related hospital admissions in Dumfries and Galloway is on the rise, according to new figures.
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR)’s quarterly report shows a jump of 32% in the number of people needing hospital attention between April 3 and July 2 2023, compared to the previous 13 weeks, which is a 40% increase on last year.
South Scotland MSP, Colin Smyth has warned the figures show Scotland is still in the grip of a drugs crisis.
He said: “Over the past couple of months we’ve seen various concerning figures which really hammer home how serious a problem Scotland still has with drugs.
“These figures for Dumfries and Galloway show a deeply worrying jump in drug-related hospital admissions compared to 2022 and this reveals, like many other places in Scotland, the impact drugs have on many peoples’ lives.
“For too long, the Scottish Government took its eye off the ball on drugs with tragic and disastrous results.”
While the number of emergency naloxone administrations has decreased by 33% between May 29 and September 3, the number of emergency department visits rose by 13% for the same period.
Colin Smyth MSP added: “While the action now being taken by the government is welcome, it is clear that the situation is continuing to deteriorate due to long-term neglect.
“Cuts in funding for rehab a few years ago are still taking a heavy toll, and just with any disease, we urgently need to see more investment to treat what is ultimately a health crisis.
“Unless we tackle the underlying causes of this disease such as poverty, poor housing, and the shocking education attainment gap, then we will fail to get to grips on the crisis.”
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister, Elena Whitham, said: “I am focused on supporting those affected by problem substance use, delivering real change on the ground and implementing evidence-based approaches we know can help save lives.”
She added: “As part of our 250 million National Mission on drugs we have developed our surveillance abilities to identify potential threats.
"We're also committed to delivering drug-checking facilities which would also enable us to respond faster to emerging trends.
“We're working towards a pilot scheme and, following a clarification on criteria from the UK Government, we anticipate license applications seeking permission from the Home Office for facilities to be submitted in the coming months.”