NHS Ayrshire & Arran remains aware and concerned over the increase in the number of people who use street drugs experiencing near fatal overdoses in recent months. Tragically, there continues to be increased numbers of drug deaths.
We are aware of the impact across communities in Ayrshire, particularly those family and friends who have lost or are at risk of losing a loved one.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Public Health Department continues to work with partners across East, North and South Ayrshire in response to these concerns. This includes working with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Drug Treatment Teams, Ayrshire Division of Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, the Emergency Departments (ED) of University Hospitals Ayr and Crosshouse, and with peer recovery communities.
Sally Amor, Consultant in Public Health, explains: “Our primary interest is to save lives and to encourage people using street drugs to treatment and support services.
“We would encourage anyone who has taken any street drug and who has become acutely unwell to call or have someone call 999 straight away*. Our emergency services are there to save lives.
“Help and advice is also available from family doctors (GPs) or local Drug Treatment Services across Ayrshire.
“We would encourage any member of the public who is experiencing problematic drug use or addiction issues to make contact with our Addiction Services teams in East, North and South Ayrshire.”
Anyone affected or concerned about drug use can find a range of support on our public website: https://www.nhsaaa.net/services/services-a-z/alcohol-and-drug-services/
For people with drug dependency or addiction issues, access to treatment, support and care can make a significant difference to reducing the risk of a drug death and support recovery journeys.
Communities are also impacted by harm associated with the selling of drugs. Members of the public can really help with providing information to the police and be assured of complete confidentiality.
Anyone with information or concerns about drug-related activity in their area can contact Police Scotland on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Sally Amor added: “We remain committed in our collective work to reduce the harm caused by the impact of street drugs and the associated challenges of dependency and addiction across Ayrshire and Arran.”
* Signs of concern for a drug overdose
- Unresponsive (will not wake when shaken)
- Snoring or noisy breathing
- Blue or pale lips and skin
- Seizures or fits
- If you notice these difficulties call 999 straight away.
- Stay calm and ask for an ambulance.
- Give as much information as possible.
- Be as honest as possible about what has been taken as this will help the emergency services to give the best care.
- The priority of emergency services is to save lives.
Naloxone
- Naloxone is a life-saving medicine that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid/drug overdose. Encourage people who inject drugs to carry naloxone at all times. Naloxone should be given to anyone who is unresponsive and displaying the signs of an overdose (snoring, difficulty breathing, pin-point pupils, blue lips). Get naloxone from your local drug service or order online from www.sfad.org.uk
Media coverage
- NHS Ayrshire & Arran encourage informed media coverage of drug related concerns as detailed Reporting of Substance Media Toolkit – SFAD