DRUGS DEATH TOLL ADDS UP TO MISERY ALL ROUND

THERE have been two drug-related deaths in Moray in the first six months
of 2008, Grampian Police have confirmed.

Over the entire Grampian area, there have been 24 drug deaths so far this
year, the majority of them in Aberdeen City.

Over the whole of 2007, five people in Moray lost their lives through drug
misuse, out of a Grampian total of 37.

Over the last seven years there have been, on average, 39 drug deaths a
year in Grampian. The peak was in 2002, when 49 people died, dropping to
the lowest annual figure of 23 in 2005.

Dr Maria Rossi, consultant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Grampian,
speaking on behalf of Alcohol and Drug Action Teams, said: "Drug misuse is
always a potentially high-risk activity. Taking individual drugs is
hazardous, and taking any such substances in combination (including with
alcohol) increases these risks considerably.

"Individual reactions to the illicit use of drugs can be unpredictable,
and when substances are taken together, the potential for harm increases
dramatically.

"Every single drug-related death is a tragic waste of life," she added,
"which causes considerable distress and upset to family, friends and
professionals involved."

Inspector David Smith, substance misuse co-ordinator for Grampian Police,
urged anyone witnessing a possible drug overdose to contact the emergency
services immediately.

"Seconds can be vital, and it is essential that immediate action is taken
to help anyone who may be experiencing an overdose.

"Placing an unconscious person in the recovery position, making choking
less likely, can also increase the chances of survival while waiting for
emergency services."

Insp Smith said that education and prevention, harm reduction and
treatment, together with enforcement, all form vital parts of the
significant efforts made by the three alcohol and drug action teams in
Grampian, including Moray, to address substance misuse.

Dr Rossi added: "At local and national levels, a great deal of work
continues, aimed at helping people get out of the cycle of substance
misuse. Through this work, useful and accurate information is provided,
enabling individuals to recognise their substance misuse problem in the
first place, to promote harm reduction interventions, to improve access to
needle exchange and other services, and facilitate social services
support, medical treatment and other interventions.

"However, this multi-agency effort can only be truly effective when those
misusing drugs and alcohol respond positively to such advice and support."

While continuing to support individuals affected by a drug addiction, the
long-term aim of action teams is to reduce the demand for illegal drugs.

A lot of work is undertaken with young people about the dangers of drug
and alcohol misuse.