For each of the last three years, Scotland has suffered record numbers of drugs overdose deaths. Each of these tragic deaths impacts on individuals, families, communities and the nation.
And yet, drug overdose deaths are preventable. We know how to prevent these deaths and yet they still happen.
Scottish Drugs Forum has launched the #StopTheDeaths initative to raise awareness of the rising toll of drug overdose deaths in Scotland and to focus efforts to prevent these tragedies.
Scotland needs to recognise and prioritise this issue and take actions that reduce deaths. These actions involve all stakeholders – people who use drugs, their families and communities as well as services and policy makers. The problem and the solutions belong to us all.
The good news is that every day in Scotland drug deaths are being prevented. People who use drugs, their families and communities, as well as services and agencies, including Scottish Drugs Forum, are involved in a range of activities that prevent drug deaths.
We need to focus on this issue because despite our efforts and successes there are still record numbers of drug deaths. This cannot be accepted or allowed to become a ‘new normal’.
#StopTheDeaths is a reminder to all stakeholders that drug death prevention is possible and that we all have our parts to play.
#StopTheDeaths is a call for local and national focus on preventing drug deaths and for all stakeholders to prioritise and focus on this agenda.
#StopTheDeaths is a message of hope – that we can respond to record drug deaths by developing a world-leading response to this national challenge
Help us spread the #StopTheDeaths message – drug deaths are not inevitable – we can prevent drug deaths.
