A new campaign has been launched to tackle the rising number of drug deaths in Dumfries and Galloway.
Fatalities in the region as a result of drugs are at their second highest point in a decade.
There were 22 deaths last year, which was a reduction on 35 in 2019, but the local health board has warned of a significant rise with 25 suspected drug deaths in the first half of 2021.
Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership has launched the stopdgdrugdeaths.co.uk website to try and tackle the issue.
Grahame Clark, chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership, said: “At the moment we are seeing a rise in our suspected drug deaths and are looking at these in more detail.
“We also know that people are taking different drugs in combination which greatly increased the risk to them. In particular, we are seeing evidence of people taking opioids like heroin and methadone along with illicit tablets they believe are benzodiazepines (often called benzos, valium or vallies) that are bought online or on the streets.”
The partnership, along with other organisations including the police, council and fire and rescue service, has launched a campaign which includes a dedicated website for the region which aims to remind drug users of the key things they can do to reduce the risk of overdose.
Mr Clarke said: “Drug users are being reminded not to try new substances or to try a very small amount at first to see how it affects them.
“We know the devastating effect drug deaths have on families and communities.
“Drug deaths are preventable and that’s why we want to make sure that we tell people about the risks to them and how they can get help.
“Every single drug-related death is a cause for major regret and there is a determination from within the ADP to continue to work across Dumfries and Galloway with partners, people who use drugs and their families to reduce the risk of drug-related deaths as much as we possibly can.”
Advice given includes not taking drugs alone as most suspected fatal overdoses have involved someone taking drugs by themselves.
Users should also avoid combining drugs, drugs which haven’t been prescribed and drugs that may have been bought over the internet which includes alcohol and prescribed medication.
Another piece of advice includes getting a Naloxone kit which temporarily reverses the effects of a heroin or opioid overdose allowing time for emergency help to be found.
For more information please go to www.stopdgdrugdeaths.co.uk.
