Scots drug and drink-linked deaths at record level

[edgarshade]

BBC News

17 August 2012 Last updated at 16:22

Drug and drink-related deaths in Scotland have reached record levels, with cases relating to methadone making up almost half the figure. There were 584 recorded deaths in 2011 - up 99 on the previous year and a 76% increase on 2001. Heroin substitute methadone was linked to 47% of deaths, with heroin and morphine accounting for a third. Justice Minister Roseanna Cunningham said the government was committed to helping serious addicts recover. But opposition parties said the proportion of deaths related to methadone, which is prescribed to help heroin users kick their habit, showed ministers had to rethink their policy.

According to the figures:

• Heroin and/or morphine was linked to 206 deaths (35%)
• Methadone was linked to 275 deaths (47%)
• Benzodiazepines, like diazepam, were linked to 185 deaths (32%)
• Alcohol was linked to 129 deaths (22%)
• Cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines were liked to 36, eight and 24 deaths respectively

More...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-19294709

 

[edgarshade]

Alcohol is much lower than I expected since the UK death rate is about 110 per day. Ecstasy is more than I expected at 4%, although it does group all amphetamines together with it.

 

[AlphaMethylPhenyl]

And I bet none of the "ecstasy" deaths were just because of MDMA. That's still a low number too.

 

[MemphisX3]

Wonder how many we're a combo of methadone and benzo but was classified as either/or.