£14m boost to increase drug treatment services in Scotland
The UK’s drug misuse problem badly affects both the social and economic spheres. The latest data brands Scotland as especially problematic given its 1,330 drug deaths recorded in 2021. Authorities estimate that illegal drug use costs the UK approximately £10.7bn each year. These losses include mortalities, healthcare expenses, crime impacts and loss of labour
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Minimum unit pricing (MUP) linked to fewer alcohol deaths in Scotland
The UK is familiar with alcohol use in one form or another. Studies classify alcohol misusers as: Young adult alcoholics, who often do not acknowledge a problem and do not seek help. Antisocial alcohol-dependent people, who present with various mental health illnesses. Functional alcoholics, who are part of the workforce and support their own
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The Welsh drug deaths crisis
The latest report from Public Health Wales details the drug deaths in this country over the 2020/2021 period. According to statistics on record, there were 322 mortalities due to drug poisoning in 2021. This marks a distressing 44% increase from the previous calendar year. Of these, 210 were classed as deaths due to drug
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Scotland’s Drug Deaths Taskforce report: latest information and responses
Most people are familiar with the UK’s 10-year plan to clamp down on the supply and demand for drugs and significantly boost treatment and recovery systems. This drive highlighted the need for interventions on different tiers and the geolocation of high-risk areas. Since announcing this initiative in December 2021, Scotland came under the spotlight
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