Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the Government has missed its target for cutting deaths due to drug misuse. In the 2002 drugs strategy the target was set to reduce deaths by 20 per cent between 1999 and 2004. Backed by major investment, the strategy succeeded in reducing deaths by 9 per cent, following a steep rise in 2003. Deaths were highest among young adults.
Harry Shapiro of DrugScope told the Guardian that original targets for reducing deaths may not have been realistic, but added that an upsurge in the use of stimulants such as cocaine and ecstasy may not have been foreseen. The death rate target would have been primarily focused on opiate addicts, as once in treatment they are able to access information and help on harm reduction, keeping them safer.
"What has skewed it is the substantial rise in the amount of cocaine use which isn't a target of government treatment interventions," he said. "It is a lot harder to attract cocaine users into treatment. A number of people have probably not got a dependence or addiction problem, but it doesn't mean they are not at equal risk."
The government might need to look at campaigns to keep the occasional drug user safer, he said. "The situation could possibly become more acute if there is a new generation of young people coming into the drug and music scene who are more likely to go down the drug route rather than the alcohol route."
The ONS figures show that drug misuse was the third most common cause of death among young people after traffic accidents and suicide.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Posted: 4th September 2006
