Drug-related deaths increased from 113 in 2014 to 168 in 2015 following falls in previous years according to the Welsh Government’s annual substance misuse report
The number of people dying from drug misuse in Wales has almost doubled in just 12 months, it has been revealed.
Drug-related deaths increased from 113 in 2014 to 168 in 2015 following falls in previous years according to the Welsh Government’s annual substance misuse report.
Early indications are that the increase appears to be driven by an ageing cohort of heroin users with complex health needs.
There were also 463 deaths from alcohol in 2015, which was an increase of 0.8% on the previous year – but the figures have remained static since 2010.
Hospital admissions for use of illicit drugs rose by 9% compared with 2014-15 and cannabinoid-related admissions have more than doubled.
In 2015-16 there were also 75 hospital admissions for foetuses and newborn babies who were affected by their mum’s use or withdrawal from drug or alcohol addiction.
But the report also noted some areas of real encouragement, particularly when it came to people successfully accessing treatment services in Wales.
There was an increase in people completing treatment either ‘problematic substance free’ or having reached their treatment goals, up from 62.1% in 2014-15 to 71% in 2015-16.
And more than eight in 10 (83%) people needing substance misuse treatment accessed services within 20 working days of referral in 2015/16 – exceeding the target of 80%
This is how quickly people received treatment:
- Alcohol: 81% in treatment within 20 days
- Heroin: 87.1% in treatment within 20 days
- Cannabis: 84.3% in treatment within 20 days
- Amphetamines: 85.8% in treatment within 20 days
- Cocaine: 89.0% in treatment within 20 days
The report also revealed that fewer people under the age of 25 are needing hospital treatment for drugs, down 32.4% in the past five years.
In response to the report, Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans said: “Substance misuse can have a devastating impact on individuals and their families, which is why in Wales we are committed to reducing the harms associated with substance misuse. We invest £50m each year in tackling the issue.
“We have made good progress over the past five years. More people have completed their treatment substance free, or having met their treatment goals.
“I am also particularly pleased at the improvements seen among young people, with fewer hospital admissions for alcohol and opioids.
“However, we know there is more work to do. Our main priority over the coming year will be to take action to return to a position where drug related deaths are falling in Wales. We will be working closely with partners to evaluate the reasons behind the increase and to take action to address it.”
The Welsh Government is holding a national symposium in January, in collaboration with Sport Wales, to further raise awareness of the problem of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs).
A three-month campaign is also being launched to ensure carers of those at risk of overdose are aware of risks and understand signs and symptoms
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/deaths-drug-abuse-risen-nearly-12352982
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