Efforts to raise awareness of overdose signs
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MORAY Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) hopes to raise awareness of overdose symptoms to save lives.
Today, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day and the latest figures show that 1187 people in Scotland lost their lives to overdose in 2018 – 92 in Grampian. Seventeen of those were in Moray.
The death rate has more than doubled in the last decade.
The majority of those who have died were aged 35 years and older and had suffered many years of harm and disadvantage due to drug use.
The ADPs in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen, which co-ordinate a whole-system approach for those affected by alcohol and drugs, are urging people to learn the signs of overdose.
Chris Littlejohn, deputy director of public health at NHS Grampian, said: "Knowing what an overdose looks like saves lives. Time is critical if you suspect someone has had an overdose.
"We are raising awareness of the key signs of an overdose and underlining the importance of getting medical attention quickly.
"This year we are having a particular focus on snoring. This is one symptom of overdose which is often missed when it should prompt action. Learn the signs. Learn how to use naloxone. Call an ambulance. Do these things and save a life."
Naloxone is a lifesaving drug which can buy time for an ambulance to arrive by reversing the effects of opioid overdose. It can be given by anyone to save a life.
In the last year more than 1000 naloxone kits have been supplied in Grampian. Some 140 of these were reported to be used by individuals in the community.
Inspector Ian McKinnon, of Police Scotland's North East division, said: "As police we see the tragedy around overdose and the impact on families, but sometimes we are luckier. On one recent incident officers were at an address for an unrelated call, but during conversation found out that a resident in the address had been sleeping for almost 20 hours. They saw this person was breathing really slowly and snoring loudly, and couldn't be woken.
"Thankfully, the officer had good overdose awareness, knew the signs, and called the ambulance immediately. Things worked out well on this occasion, but they'd come really close to losing their friend.
"It's for this reason we're fully supporting Overdose Awareness Day."
To find out more on how to recognise and respond to an overdose visit www.hi-netgrampian.org/overdose.
