7th June 2023, Mumbai: A major new report suggests that the rise in drug-related deaths in Scotland is not solely attributed to users getting older. The study, which analyzed nearly 50,000 opioid users from 2011 to 2020, revealed an increase in death rates across all age groups. Furthermore, the study highlighted that individuals not receiving treatment faced a significantly higher death rate compared to those who were in treatment. Researchers are now urging for enhanced treatment options for heroin and morphine users, emphasizing that opioid agonist treatment alone may not be sufficient to address Scotland’s overdose epidemic.
The Scottish government has responded to the concerning situation by committing an additional £250 million to tackle what it describes as a “national disgrace” of drug-related deaths. Dr. Andrew McAuley of Glasgow Caledonian University, a principal investigator on the study, underlined the significance of the findings. Contrary to the theory of an “ageing cohort effect” driving the overdose epidemic, the study revealed increased mortality rates across all groups, indicating that other factors were at play.
Dr. McAuley emphasized the importance of drug treatments like methadone, as they demonstrated a clear protective effect. However, he stressed the need to invest in the entire treatment system, acknowledging that existing measures alone were not sufficient. He pointed out the absence of drug consumption rooms or safe supply initiatives, which are evidence-informed responses adopted by other countries grappling with toxic street drug supplies.
The term “Trainspotting generation” gained popularity as drug deaths began to rise in the mid-2010s. It referred to a group of individuals who had started using drugs at a young age but were only now experiencing fatal consequences in their 40s and 50s. It was speculated that these deaths were the primary driver behind Scotland’s increasing overdose rates. However, the recent study challenges this assumption, demonstrating that while individuals in their mid-40s and older were more susceptible to fatal overdoses, they did not solely account for the country’s record figures.
The research, which encompasses the majority of Scotland’s problem users over the past decade, reveals a concerning trend: death rates increased across every age group. The catalyst behind this rise has been the proliferation of Etizolam, commonly known as street Valium. This benzodiazepine substitute first appeared as an outlier in 2012 but has since permeated Scotland’s economically disadvantaged communities. In combination with opioids and alcohol, it has contributed to over 750 deaths each year for the past three years.
The findings of this extensive study shed new light on the factors driving Scotland’s drug-related deaths. While the notion of an ageing cohort effect is not entirely dismissed, it is clear that multiple factors, including the widespread availability and misuse of substances like Etizolam, have significantly contributed to the crisis. Addressing this epidemic requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses effective treatment options, harm reduction strategies, and measures to ensure a safer drug supply for vulnerable individuals.
Article by PRITESH PATEL