West Dunbartonshire has some of the best waiting times figures in the country for access to Addiction Services and is committed to ensuring everyone wanting treatment is seen by a specialist agency within 14 days. For urgent cases, an individual can be seen within 1 to 2 days, with less than 2% of clients waiting more than 21 days for an appointment.
Tom Jackson, Joint Manager of Addiction Services said: “Sadly alcohol and drug misuse in West Dunbartonshire is mirrored all over Scotland and can have a devastating consequence for the individual, their families and also our communities.
He added: “There are no quick fixes or easy solutions but here in West Dunbartonshire we have in place treatment services with fast access for all age groups. I would urge anyone to contact the HEAR out of hours service if they need advice or help with alcohol or drug misuse for themselves or a member of their family.”
Cllr Ronnie McColl, Convenor of Social Work and Health said: “The Council works closely with Strathclyde Police, Criminal Justice, Housing and Homelessness, Education and West Dunbartonshire Community Health Partnership to raise awareness of the devastation any addiction can have on an individual. Only through sustained education, prevention measures and treatment can we begin to reverse the figures not only in West Dunbartonshire but throughout Scotland.”
Following the death of 23 people in 2008 due to drug related deaths in West Dunbartonshire, a local review panel was set up to look at each individual drug death and to better understand the circumstances of each death and to see where efforts can be improved. The review panel consists of GP’s, Nurses, Drug Workers, Police and Social Workers.
In 2008, a new out of hours telephone support service, HEAR (0141-952-8815) began operating locally, which took its first call on Christmas eve. Currently operating Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights, the service offers advice and support to people when most other services are not open.
Strathclyde Police, Superintendent, Kirk Kinnell, Sub-divisional Officer West Dunbartonshire: “Strathclyde Police is committed to support any local action which helps to preserve life. A great deal of effort has gone into understanding the story behind each drug death, and there is a robust action plan to reverse the upward trend. Last year we had record seizures of drugs and so far this year we are already exceeding our very ambitious targets.
This partnership seeks to broaden our approach to tackling the drugs problem - We have accepted the shared responsibility of reducing both the demand and harm caused by drugs.
The use of the opiate reversal drug, Naloxone, which is being delivered locally by highly competent trainers is one more aspect of reducing the harm caused by drugs. We also hope that anyone worried that a friend or family member is in overdose calls 999 without delay.”
Dr Mark Garthwaite, local GP and clinician in the Leven Addiction Services in Dumbarton said: “Working with the Police and other colleagues in health, social work and the voluntary sector has been rewarding, in sharing our different appreciation of drug deaths locally. We have learned a lot, but most surprising was the significance alcohol plays in so many deaths. Many of those who have died of a drug death over the past two years did so only after a very heavy drinking session. Some of these individuals were not regular drug users, but people who used occasionally.”
He added: “I hope that our efforts to design the new materials focusing on the mix of alcohol and drugs provides one more local action to turn around an upward trend in drug deaths which has affected West Dunbartonshire and much of Scotland.”
