Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 Source: Press and Journal, The (UK) Copyright: 2008: Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd. Contact: http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/347 Author: Emma Christie Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) DISAPPOINTMENT OVER DEATHS DUE TO DRUG MISUSE A consultant in public health medicine last night said it was "disappointing" the number of drug-related deaths in the north-east had not decreased in the first half of the year. Figures released by Gram-pian Police revealed 24 people died from drugs in the first six months of 2008, mostly in the Aberdeen area. Dr Maria Rossi said the Grampian area's three Alcohol and Drug Action Teams were continuing their efforts to address the "tragic waste of life". The number of reported drug-related deaths in the north-east has varied from 23 to 49 over the past seven years -- an average of 39. Dr Rossi said drug misuse was always a potentially high-risk activity and warned there could be wide-ranging consequences. She said: "Individual reactions to the illicit use of drugs can be unpredictable, and when substances are taken together the potential for harm increases dramatically. "Every single drug-related death is a tragic waste of life, which causes considerable distress and upset to family, friends and professionals involved. While disappointing that the number of these preventable deaths are not significantly decreasing, efforts continue on several fronts to address this." Dr Rossi said work at a local and national level focused on getting users out of the cycle of substance misuse by helping people recognise their problem, promoting harm reduction methods, improving access to needle exchanges and facilitating better support. However, she stressed effort was also required on the part of users themselves. Dr Rossi added it was equally important to reduce the demand for illegal drugs as a long-term objective through engagement and education of the younger generations. Inspector David Smith, substance misuse co-ordinator at Grampian Police, said there were several important areas to focus their work on. "Education and prevention, harm reduction and treatment, together with enforcement, all form vital parts of the significant efforts made by the three teams in Grampian to address substance misuse," he said. He also stressed the importance of contacting emergency services and using basic first-aid in potentially life-threatening situations. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake