From Public Health Scotland today:
The average weekly number of drug-related hospital admissions decreased between January and March 2023. The total number of admissions in this time period (1,654) was considerably lower than expected, compared to the same time periods in 2022 (2,136) and 2021 (3,040) (decreases of 23% and 46% respectively).
At the same time however:
The average weekly number of drug-related attendances at emergency departments increased between March and May 2023. A total of 1,081 attendances were recorded in this period – similar to 2021 (1,058), and 13% higher than in the same time period in 2022 (954).
So increasing attendances at A&E yet fewer admissions required? The overall level of harm due to drug abuse is reducing? Services within the community are coping better with less severe cases? Far more admissions seem to be via GP referral than via A&E.
More of interest to the media off course:
The average weekly number of suspected drug deaths was broadly stable from the end of February to the beginning of May 2023 (23 per week) and then increased throughout May. There was an average monthly total of 100 suspected drug deaths from March to May 2023. This was similar to the average monthly total in March to May 2022 (102).
Two things, not much reported:
- Drug deaths are between only 5% and 8% of total hospital admissions.
- Despite increased attendance at A&E, the crude number dying is static.
Source:
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
This will be a cue for the BBC here to compare us once again to European countries (who are NOT (over) ruled by WM) and who , as countries, are lucky enough to be independent….as in they , as independent countries, have ALL of the powers and money to implement and focus upon areas that they want to improve upon….where as we, Scotland , do NOT…..a fact always omitted by the BBC (and t’others)…..for reasons too obvious to mention….
Also a cue for them, the BBC, to seek input via some opposition politicians and also “some critics” (always anonymous) if they, BBC, do decide to report upon this improvement….as the rule is NO GOOD SNP NEWS is allowed to go without the BBC always being compelled (as is their job in Scotland) to add within their report either a ‘But’ or a ‘However’ to then see it be turned, as news, into yet another #SNPBAD piece…
Not the “news where we are” but the “news where others are’ and thus they, elsewhere (doon south), dictate both the content and presentation of OUR news….that ‘news’ mainly being in the form of propaganda …..as in what they want us, here in Scotland, to believe is supposedly happening and supposedly truthful ‘where we are’ and always thus connected to the SNP (as in their fault…always…. apparently)…but obvs is actually NOT….we know who is to REALLY blame…and also know who, within the media, is their, the Pro UK parties and UK government’s, media enablers that allows them to get away with it….all to our detriment in Scotland….the clue is in their name BRITISH Broadcasting Corporation……so obvious that tis surprising that more Scots cannot see it !
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I think that the greater availability of naxolone to police, paramedics and drug services, to be administered in situ has contributed to this.
If Westminster Tories and Labour were to permit safe injecting and disposal facilities such as provided by Mr Peter Krykant, then there would be even fewer.
But, of course they won’t because they want MORE DEATHS so that they can use it as an attack line against the SNP and Greens.
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The Scottish Gov £250million drug rehab funding over 5 years is still working through. Two new (total abstinence?) rehab facilities have opened in the Borders and Dundee. The figures will fall as the new Rehabs are opened. There is a need for one in Peterhead.
In the rest of the UK drug deaths are recorded in three categories. Accidental drug misuse. Heroin deaths and drug misuse death. In Scotland there is a total of drug deaths.
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