DRUG POISONING DEATHS AT 8-YEAR HIGH

HEROIN, MORPHINE AND METHADONE ARE THE MOST-CITED SUBSTANCES

Deaths relating to drug poisoning – both legal and illegal drugs – have risen to their highest level since 2001, the year the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse was founded, reveal new figures covering 2008 from the Office for National Statistics.

The ONS journal, Health Statistics Quarterly, published today, reports that there were 2,928 drug-poisoning deaths in 2008, up 11% on 2007. 59% of these can be directly attributed to drug misuse. Such deaths also rose, to 1,738 – this is the highest number since 2001 and 8% higher than in 2007.

Methadone was mentioned in 378 death certificates, up from 219 in 2004. As a substance of death, it was exceeded only by heroin and morphine, which were mentioned in 897 deaths, compared to 751 in 2004.

Methadone was the sole substance in 193 deaths, almost double the 105 methadone deaths in 2004. Again, it was exceeded only by heroin and morphine which were the sole substances cited in 587 deaths, up from 491 in 2004.

Various antidepressants were mentioned in a total of 381 deaths, legal painkillers in a total of 507 deaths.

Click here for the Office of National Statistics report.

Click here for drug deaths compiled in St George’s executive summary, here for its annual report.

DRUG DEATH RISES IN SCOTLAND, TOO

The Scottish government was accused of an “intolerable” acceptance of the rise in deaths from substance abuse. “We are spectators at our own drugs epidemic,” stated Professor Neil McKeganey, director of the Centre for Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow.  He spoke after the release of figures showing 574 drug-related deaths last year, up by 26% from 2007. Methadone, a heroin substitute prescribed to many seeking help, was found in the bodies of one third of the people who died.

DRUG DEATH RISES IN SCOTLAND, TOO

The Scottish government was accused of an “intolerable” acceptance of the rise in deaths from substance abuse. “We are spectators at our own drugs epidemic,” stated Professor Neil McKeganey, director of the Centre for Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow. 

He spoke after the release of figures showing 574 drug-related deaths last year, up by 26% from 2007. Methadone, a heroin substitute prescribed to many seeking help, was found in the bodies of one third of the people who died.

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Comments

[Gerry Dorrian]

At my work ew had a presentation on Suboxone - subutex and naloxone in a sublingual tablet. When used properly, the naloxone isn't absorbed; but if injected the naloxone kicks in. To prevent abuse whole areas need to switch to Suboxone, but I wonder if it's an inkling of a better way to work towards recovery?

[Clive]

Biggest problem is that we still treat the symptoms and not the individual. When we do the latter we'll see that one size doesn't fit all and that there should be a range of interventions all tailored to the needs of the individual. When that happens people will start to turn their lives round.

Unfotunately though there will continue to be deaths and we shouldn't strive for a utopian vision of treatment which is unattainable.