The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7483 p702
22/29 December 2007

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New drug misuse strategy promised by Scottish Government

A new strategy on drug misuse has been promised by the Scottish Government following the publication of statistics on drug misuse this week.

The statistics, published by Information Services Division Scotland, reveal a 35 per cent rise in methadone prescribing over the past five years. In the same period, buprenorphine and diazepam prescribing have also increased but prescribing of dihydrocodeine has remained stable.

“We will launch a new drugs strategy next year that will be focused on using resources more effectively to get addicts drug-free. Connecting people to the right services and integrated care to help them lead drug-free lives should be the norm across Scotland,” said Fergus Ewing, minister for community safety.

Also this week, the National Forum on Drug-related Deaths in Scotland published its annual report and highlights over- and under-prescribing of methadone.
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