Statistics released by ISD Scotland have shown that 1054 patients were admitted to hospitals across Fife and Tayside as a result of drug related issues. This number equates to nearly 20% of all drug related admissions to Scottish hospitals.
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has called for greater education to make people properly aware of the negative health impacts of drug misuse. The Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP has welcomed tougher powers coming into force from April to deal with so called “legal highs” which are now responsible for 6 ambulance call outs a day across the nation.
Additional figures also revealed that more Fifers per 100,000 are attending hospital with alcohol related issues than the Scottish average.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Scotland’s relationship with drugs has improved in recent years but more must be done to help people kick the habit.
“Drugs ruin lives and wreck communities and it is about time that real solutions are put forward. Dissuading youngsters from taking drugs should be the main plank of any educational strategy but we also need to do more to help addicts find a way out.
“In Fife statistics this week have shown that there are more new hospital inpatients as a result of alcohol abuse than the Scottish average, which underlines the issues facing NHS Fife in dealing with both drink and drug related problems.
“In 2007 when the SNP came to power there were 263 stays in Fife hospitals as result of cannabinoid or opiad misuse compared to 400 in 2013/14. In anyone’s books this represents a serious increase and the Government must give health boards the resources to tackle this problem at its root.”