Latest news with #TaraShivaji
BBC News
30-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Health experts issue new warning over synthetic drugs
Health experts have issued a new warning over synthetic drugs which could explain a sharp rise in suspected drug deaths. An update from Public Health Scotland (PHS) revealed there were 312 suspected drug-related fatalities between March and May, a 15% rise on the previous quarter. The latest Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response report said potent synthetic opioids known a nitazenes were increasingly mixed with other drugs such as heroin. Nitazenes were found to be present in 6% of all deaths and one expert said the figure was probably an "underestimate" because of issues with testing. Nitazene-type opioids are often found in drugs sold as heroin, benzodiazepines and oxycodone and have been in Scotland since report noted an increase in reports of heroin overdoses in recent months, suspected to involve these synthetic opioids. As well as a rise in suspected deaths, there was a 45% increase in the administration of naloxone, which is used as an emergency antidote for opioid overdoses. Attendances at hospital emergency departments also rose by 19%. Toxic combinations Dr Tara Shivaji, consultant in public health medicine at PHS, said: "There are complex reasons for the increase in harms we're seeing. "Scotland has an evolving drug supply, which is often contaminated with toxic substances. "Most of the harm also involves the use of more than one substance. We urge caution to all people who use drugs. There's no way of telling which substances may be contaminated or what the combined effects will be."Scotland continues to have a far higher rate of recorded drugs deaths than other European nations, including other parts of the suspected drug death data is based on police reports and is different to the finalised annual figures published annually by National Records of Scotland (NRS). The most recent NRS figures showed there were 1,172 drug misuse deaths in Scotland in 2023,an increase of 121 compared with 2022 which had seen the first fall in fatalities in several years. A new set of official NRS statistics is due to be published in September.
Daily Record
30-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Super-strength drugs fuelling new wave of Scottish overdose deaths
Nitazenes - up to 500 times stronger than heroin - now found all over Scotland, contaminating all kinds of drugs, as death rate soars Health chiefs are calling for the urgent creation of drug checking services as a wave of new drugs wreak havoc on Scotland's streets. Public Health Scotland believes our shameful drug death rate, which had improved in recent years, could be set to explode again as synthetic and deadly nitazenes contaminate the market. The opiates can be 500 times as strong as heroin and are being seen in more and more deaths. But experts believe the true toll of harm is being drastically underestimated because of the rapid way the new drugs leave the bodies of those who have died of overdoses. Dr Tara Shivaji, authored the Consultant in Public Health Medicine, authored the latest Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report, which detailed a devastating 15% rise in drug deaths from March to May this year. The data shows a 'rapidly evolving, toxic and unpredictable drug supply', with more overdose deaths and a big shift towards nitazenes - which are now contaminating the supply of many different drugs. Dr Shivaji said Scotland needs to wake up to the 'global challenge' that super strength synthetic drugs pose and to out in place checking stations. She said: 'Where drugs are checked, most drugs will contain more than what they're sold to be. It's it's really difficult for people to know what, what's in the substances that they're taking. 'It's therefore difficult for services to then support them. 'As it stands, when we see increases in harm and we think there's something new being introduced into a local drug supply, we're just not able to confirm that. And so that means what we can do is really quite limited. 'The evidence from areas with drug checking is that people can get their substances checked and make a choice and take much more proactive, much more targeted harm reduction action. 'But it also makes a difference at the community level, where the availability of this intelligence changes the market and reduces the risks, and that's been demonstrated in Canada, and that's really part of why we are advocating for drug checking.' Dr Shivaji said she could not rule out a new record in overdose deaths happening, despite many thousands of deaths already in Scotland. Although nitazenes have been found in just six per cent of death in the first quarter of 2025, Dr Shivaji said this is likely to be a gross underestimate. She said: 'We aren't scientifically sure about the stability of nitazenes and our toxicology colleagues tell us that it's possible that if the body has lain for a while and blood samples are taken after a prolonged period, the nitazines might not be detected. 'The other concern they have is about the potency, as it doesn't take very much to cause an overdose, and therefore it can be more difficult to detect when you're looking for that in a in a sample. 'So we are likely to be presenting an underestimate of the impact.' Dr Shivaji said that in 2022, when nitazenes first appeared, they were localised - but they are now found all over Scotland and in all kinds of drugs. She said: 'We found it in heroin, we found it in street benzodiazepines and we're also finding it in fake pharma.' One major concern that has come to light is the finding of heroin in cocaine - meaning a massive risk of overdose for users who have not built any tolerance to opiates. And another new threat has emerged through the way the opiate antidote drug Naloxone is being dulled by the presence of nitazenes. Dr Shivaji said: 'Naloxone does work but we are hearing more and more of how it takes several shots to take effect, in some cases up to ten to get an overdose victim to come round.' The RADAR report gathers together results of hospital toxicology tests and the accounts of drug users to paint a picture of the changing drugs landscape in Scotland. The quarterly report is published more than two months after the reporting period ends - and the current situation means news drugs may already be rife by the time the first warnings are issued. The SNP has been accused of failing to address the drug death crisis as the latest report shows drug deaths rose by 15% between March and May this year. An earlier report showed that suspected drug deaths rose by a third in the first three months of this year. After drops in the last three years, many fear Scotland could be heading for even worse numbers than the 1,339 deaths of 2020. We are currently the worst overdose nation in Europe by miles - more than three times as bad as Ireland, in second place. Scotland's Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: 'We are working hard to respond to the growing threat from polydrug use, including 'street benzos' and cocaine, and from highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes. 'These synthetic drugs can be hundreds of times more potent than heroin and can increase the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death. Because of their strength I would urge people to carry extra life-saving naloxone kits.'
STV News
29-07-2025
- Health
- STV News
Suspected drug deaths rise by 15% amid emergence of new illegal substances
Suspected drug deaths in Scotland have risen by 15% over the last quarter amid the emergence of new illegal substances, according to the latest quarterly RADAR report. The figures, published by Public Health Scotland, show an increased level of drug-related harm across the country compared to the previous quarter. Naloxone administration incidents rose by 45% and emergency department attendances related to drug use increased by 19%. During the period between March and May, suspected drug deaths were 15% higher than the first quarter and 7% more than the same period in 2024. The PHS believes the findings highlight the 'persistently high levels of drug-related harm in Scotland and the serious impact of a rapidly evolving, toxic and unpredictable drug supply'. Nitazene-type opioids, which were first detected in Scotland in 2022, were present in 6% of all deaths in the first quarter of 2025. Dr Tara Shivaji, consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS said: 'Our most recent data shows that the unregulated drugs market in Scotland is continuing to have a devastating effect on people who use drugs and their communities. The recent trends in increasing drug-related harms are deeply concerning, and it's vital that the response continues to be prioritised in order to protect lives. 'There are complex reasons for the increase in harms we're seeing. Scotland has an evolving drug supply, which is often contaminated with toxic substances. Most of the harm also involves the use of more than one substance. We urge caution to all people who use drugs – there's no way of telling which substances may be contaminated or what the combined effects will be. Having someone who can help in an emergency is an important harm reduction measure, but there's no safe way to take these substances. 'PHS, through RADAR, has worked with a range of partners since March to identify the increase in drug harms, and to help coordinate the system-wide response. It's imperative that our collective efforts continue and our thanks go to the various organisations and people in frontline and supporting roles who provide us with critical information.' Director of public health for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Valerie White, believes the country's relationship with drugs can change if 'deep-rooted' issues are tackled. Speaking on behalf of the Scottish Directors of Public Health, she said: 'The latest RADAR report highlights the continued need for a system-wide approach to preventing drug harms – one that ensures people can access the harm reduction, treatment, care, and recovery support they need, when they need it. 'By tackling the deep-rooted social and health inequalities that drive drug-related harm, we believe that Scotland's relationship with drugs can change. 'To address these inequalities, a coordinated, multiagency response from more than drug services is required. Sectors such as housing, education, and welfare all play hugely important roles in tackling drug harms as part of a public health approach.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Does alcohol cause more harm in Glasgow? Here's the findings
Official figures show a long-term pattern of fewer people needing hospital treatment but rates remain high and alcohol consumption in Scotland is still higher than the rest of the UK. The researchers said despite recent improvements, Scotland continues to face a significant alcohol problem, with adults who drink alcohol consuming an average of 21.6 units per week. READ NEXT:'Sense of excitement building' over George Square work says Susan Aitken The total is more than 50% above the Chief Medical Officers' safe drinking guidelines of 14 units for both men and women. In Glasgow, according to Public Health Scotland, hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol for 2023/24 was 935 per 100,000 population. The city is well above the Scotland-wide figure, which was 594.5 per 100,000 population. Similarly, deaths wholly attributable deaths due to alcohol, was 33.4 per 100,000 population in Glasgow City. This is also higher than the rate of wholly attributable alcohol mortality in Scotland, which is 22.5 per 100,000 population. While the statistics are still high, the drop in recent decades is marked. READ NEXT:Are refugees given priority for social housing in Glasgow? In 2008/09, the rate of hospital admissions for alcohol was 1702 per 100,000. Death rates in the city also show a big decrease from a high of 68.5 per 100,000 to 33.4 in 2023. Public Health Scotland was alarmed at the level of consumption across Scotland. Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at Public Health Scotland, said: "Today's updates add to the evidence base that as a population, Scotland is consuming too much alcohol. 'If current drinking patterns continue, we project a 21% increase in alcohol-related disease burden by 2043 compared to 2019 levels. This means thousands more individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of alcohol related ill-health such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer. 'Every week, people across Scotland are drinking well above the recommended 14-unit limit, significantly increasing their risk of these serious health conditions.'
STV News
24-06-2025
- Health
- STV News
Scotland's alcohol consumption dangerously excessive
Scotland's alcohol consumption continues to be dangerously excessive with people drinking 50% above safe limits, statistics show. The latest data, published by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday, showed that Scots are buying and drinking more alcohol than people in England and Wales. The data from 2023/24 shows: Scots drink more than 50% above the Chief Medical Officers' safe drinking guidelines (14 units a week) Adults who drink consume an average of 21.6 units of alcohol per week in Scotland Experts at PHS estimate that if current drinking patterns continue, there will be a 21% increase in alcohol-related diseases by 2043 compared to 2019 levels. People living in Scotland's most deprived areas are six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from causes wholly related to alcohol 'Today's updates add to the evidence base that as a population, Scotland is consuming too much alcohol,' Dr Tara Shivaji, a consultant in public health medicine at Public Health Scotland, said. 'This means thousands more individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of alcohol related ill-health such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.' Dr Shivaji said people across Scotland are drinking 'well above' the recommended 14-unit limit every week, 'significantly increasing their risk of these serious health conditions'. If these drinking patterns continue, Dr Shivaji projects that there will be a 21% increase in alcohol-related diseases by 2043 compared to 2019 levels. 'Today's updates add to the evidence base that as a population, Scotland is consuming too much alcohol,' she said. 'This means thousands more individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of alcohol related ill-health such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.' People in the most deprived communities are hit hardest by alcohol consumption, according to the figures. PHS said that people living in Scotland's most deprived areas are six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from causes wholly related to alcohol, compared to those in the least deprived communities. It also shows that while the volume of alcohol sold in Scotland is decreasing, it remains higher than the amount sold per adult in England and Wales. 'The newly released data provides compelling evidence that despite progress, Scotland's relationship with alcohol remains deeply problematic and requires immediate attention,' Dr Shivaji said. 'This isn't inevitable. With urgent, collective and evidence-based action to tackle harmful alcohol use, we can change Scotland's path.' She said Scotland needs to take steps toward implementing preventive measures. 'This means addressing the availability, affordability, and attractiveness of alcohol, as well as providing early intervention and support for people experiencing problems. But that work must start now,' she said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
