A Freedom of Information request has revealed that 1030 NHS Tayside residents have visited hospitals over the past three years after suffering the side-effects from taking so called ‘legal-high’ drugs.
An earlier FOI request had shown that there had been 92 admissions to A+ E units in NHS Tayside over the past three years as a result of legal-highs (the 1030 includes this A+E number).
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has said that these new figures demonstrate the extent of the problem and should act as a spur for the Scottish Government to commission a hard hitting public awareness and education campaign.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“To have over 1000 people in the Tayside region visit hospital as a result of taking so called legal-highs is massively concerning and must act as a spur for the Scottish Government to seriously tackle this problem.
“Last week it was revealed that there were 92 A+E admissions in Tayside as a result of legal-highs and now it has emerged that a further 900 people visited a doctor after suffering the after effects of legal-highs.
“Users of Legal-highs are walking a tightrope between injury or perhaps even death and these figures must act as a wake-up call.
“The Scottish Government must get tough and start educating people from a young age as to the potentially life-threatening consequences of taking these drugs.”