 |
|
Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate
July 23, 2008Research paper: Contribution of problem drug users' deaths to excess mortality in Scotland: Secondary analysis of cohort study
Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a study published on bmj.com today.
Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing. Traditionally this has been blamed on the higher levels of deprivation in Scotland. Yet over half the difference between Scottish and English deaths cannot be accounted for by higher levels of deprivation. This puzzling "excess" of Scottish deaths has become referred to as the "Scottish effect."
Professor Bloor and colleagues from the University of Glasgow, analysed how many of these unaccounted-for deaths were the result of drug abuse.
They say that the published data on "drug related deaths" in Scotland is properly and purposely restrictive because only deaths which are a direct result of the pharmacological effect of taking an illegal drug i.e. an overdose, are counted. This, they argue, inadvertently hides a much wider problem of deaths linked to drug taking such as blood borne infections, suicide and violent assaults.
In order to estimate the number of deaths in a population of drug users they matched mortality data from the General Register Office for Scotland with participants in a study on Drug Outcomes Research in Scotland (DORIS). As part of that study, 1033 problem drug users who started a new bout of treatment in one of 33 drug treatment agencies across Scotland were interviewed between 2001 and 2002. They were followed up between 2004 and 2005.
Of those who didn't have follow-up interviews the researchers found 38 had died. Only 22, just over half, of those deaths had been recorded as drug-related. Of the other deaths, six were suicides (including three overdoses from medication such as paracetamol), three were due to an "infection associated with drug abuse", two were due to assaults, one was due to "alcoholic liver disease" and one due to exposure.
Previous work has shown that 1.84% of the Scottish population had a problem with drug abuse, compared to 0.99% in England.
Applying the rate of deaths of drug users in the DORIS study to the wider population of drug users in Scotland, allowed the authors to estimate that 32% of Scotland's excess mortality rate is due to the greater prevalence of problem drug abuse in the country.
Compared to smoking, excess drinking, or lack of exercise, relatively few people have a problem with drug abuse. However, the risk of death is high-drug users in the DORIS study were found to be 12 times as likely to die as someone from the general population.
Professor Bloor and colleagues conclude that successful public health campaigns to reduce the number of people taking drugs "would have a strong impact on overall mortality in both Scotland and England."
BMJ-British Medical Journal
Professor Bloor and colleagues from the University of Glasgow, analysed how many of these unaccounted-for deaths were the result of drug abuse.
They say that the published data on "drug related deaths" in Scotland is properly and purposely restrictive because only deaths which are a direct result of the pharmacological effect of taking an illegal drug i.e. an overdose, are counted. This, they argue, inadvertently hides a much wider problem of deaths linked to drug taking such as blood borne infections, suicide and violent assaults.
In order to estimate the number of deaths in a population of drug users they matched mortality data from the General Register Office for Scotland with participants in a study on Drug Outcomes Research in Scotland (DORIS). As part of that study, 1033 problem drug users who started a new bout of treatment in one of 33 drug treatment agencies across Scotland were interviewed between 2001 and 2002. They were followed up between 2004 and 2005.
Of those who didn't have follow-up interviews the researchers found 38 had died. Only 22, just over half, of those deaths had been recorded as drug-related. Of the other deaths, six were suicides (including three overdoses from medication such as paracetamol), three were due to an "infection associated with drug abuse", two were due to assaults, one was due to "alcoholic liver disease" and one due to exposure.
Previous work has shown that 1.84% of the Scottish population had a problem with drug abuse, compared to 0.99% in England.
Applying the rate of deaths of drug users in the DORIS study to the wider population of drug users in Scotland, allowed the authors to estimate that 32% of Scotland's excess mortality rate is due to the greater prevalence of problem drug abuse in the country.
Compared to smoking, excess drinking, or lack of exercise, relatively few people have a problem with drug abuse. However, the risk of death is high-drug users in the DORIS study were found to be 12 times as likely to die as someone from the general population.
Professor Bloor and colleagues conclude that successful public health campaigns to reduce the number of people taking drugs "would have a strong impact on overall mortality in both Scotland and England."
BMJ-British Medical Journal
Drug Abuse Current Events and Drug Abuse News RSSScientists decipher the formation of lasting memories
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism that controls the brain's ability to create lasting memories. In experiments on genetically manipulated mice, they were able to switch on and off the animals' ability to form lasting memories by adding a substance to their drinking water.
UI study reveals second pathway to feeling your heartbeat
A new study suggests that the inner sense of our cardiovascular state, our "interoceptive awareness" of the heart pounding, relies on two independent pathways, contrary to what had been asserted by prominent researchers.
Drug shows promise in treating dangerous complication of erectile disorder
Thousands of men are afflicted with an embarrassing and painful condition that triggers spontaneous, long-lasting erections. There are limited treatment options, but a solution could be on the way thanks to new research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Cocaine exposure during pregnancy leads to impulsivity in male, not female, monkeys
Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine while in the womb have poor impulse control and may be more vulnerable to drug abuse than female monkeys, even a decade or more after the exposure, according to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The findings could lead to a better understanding of human drug abuse.
Nation's leading experts on substance abuse outline new research agenda
With substance abuse now accounting for one in 14 hospital admissions and generating billions in health care costs, leading scientists held a briefing on Capitol Hill today to present the evidence that we already have and the evidence we need in treating and preventing the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.
Researchers explore long-term adolescent vulnerability to drugs
As part of efforts to understand drug abuse, Georgia State University researchers are finding that adolescent rats appear to be less vulnerable to the long-term effects of withdrawal and relapse in certain types of drug use than rats that take the drugs in adulthood.
Are the monoamines involved in shaping conduct disorders?
Antisocial and aggressive behaviours represent a widespread and expensive social problem. Recent research has convincingly shown that there is a strong interaction between genetic inheritance and environment for development of personality and behaviour.
Doctors Fear Asking Mentally Ill to Quit Smoking
People with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are the heaviest smokers in the country, but their doctors are afraid to ask them to quit. They assume that if their patients try to quit smoking, their mental disorders will get worse.
Infective endocarditis: An old but changing disease
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe form of valve disease characterized by infection located in the valves of the heart.
Wastewater used to map illicit drug use
A team of researchers has mapped patterns of illicit drug use across the state of Oregon using a method of sampling municipal wastewater before it is treated.
More Drug Abuse Current Events and Drug Abuse News Articles
 |
Drug Use and Abuse by Stephen A. Maisto (Author), Mark Galizio (Author), Gerard J. Connors (Author) DRUG USE AND ABUSE takes an interdisciplinary approach in its coverage of current drug issues. It weaves psychological, historical, cultural, social, biological, and medical perspectives -- emphasizing the idea that a drug's effects depend not only on its properties, but also on the biological and psychological characteristics of its user. This theme is highlighted throughout, and is prominent in discussions of the individual classes of drugs, as well as in the chapters on pharmacology and psychopharmacology. |
 |
Buzzed: The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy (Third Edition) by Cynthia Kuhn (Author), Scott Swartzwelder (Author), Wilkie Wilson (Author) The third edition of the essential, accessible source for understanding how drugs work and their effects on body and behavior. Together, the first two editions of Buzzed have sold over 120,000 copies—and now the authors have revised and updated the book to include the most recent discoveries about drugs, including new information on the energy drinks craze, prescription drugs such as OxyContin and Ambien, and the date-rape drug GHB. Scientifically accurate and easy to read, this no-nonsense handbook gives the most balanced, objective information available on the most often used and abused drugs, from alcohol, caffeine, and ... |
 |
Acts of Worship Starring: Christopher Kadish, Michael Hyatt, Ana Reeder, Nestor Rodriguez Directed By: Rosemary Rodriguez Also With: Luke Geissbuhler (Cinematographer), Jim Coleman (Composer), Elizabeth Downer (Editor) This focuses on the relationship between alix a young homeless addict and digna a successful photographer in manhattans lower eastside. When digna discovers alix unconcious on the stairs of her building she steps in and offers to help despite her own fears and their emotional and ethical cores are tested. Studio: Arts Alliance America Release Date: 08/14/2007 Starring: Ana Reeder Michael Hyatt Run time: 94 minutes Rating: R |
 |
Illegal Drugs: A Complete Guide to their History, Chemistry, Use, and Abuse by Paul Gahlinger (Author) Does Ecstasy cause brain damage? Why is crack more addictive than cocaine? What questions regarding drugs are legal to ask in a job interview? When does marijuana possession carry a greater prison sentence than murder? Illegal Drugs is the first comprehensive reference to offer timely, pertinent information on every drug currently prohibited by law in the United States. It includes their histories, chemical properties and effects, medical uses and recreational abuses, and associated health problems, as well as addiction and treatment information. Additional survey chapters discuss general and historical information on illegal drug use, the effect of drugs on the brain, the war on drugs, drugs in the workplace, the economy and culture of illegal drugs, and... |
 |
When Someone You Love Abuses Drugs or Alcohol: Daily Encouragement by Cecil Murphey (Author) When people we love are struggling, we struggle as well. Sometimes we wish that we could fix their lives for them. But we also forget to care for our own needs, both physically and spiritually, during these difficult times. Cecil Murphey offers spiritual encouragement for people whose loved ones suffer from drug or alcohol addiction. These daily readings will help you focus on God in the midst of your trials. |
 |
Addiction: Cunning, Baffling and Powerful Starring: Ashley Peddie Directed By: Linda Flanders Also With: Linda Flanders (Writer), Inc. Taproot (Producer) Addiction is a very complex and abstract concept for people to understand, especially young people. We specialize in education through the use of the media arts. We take the words, "Cunning, Baffling and Powerful" and personify them. In a short movie, young people can see how predatory addiction really is. We add a brief overview of "neuroadaptation" the actual change in the brain that addiction causes. It's now a chronic disease that must be managed, it's not going away. We also show red flags for kids to look for so they can become aware and begin to adjust their own behavior. We include the reason for and benefit of support meetings. DVD purchase includes full script and clay lesson plans for replication in your own community. Just EMAIL LINDA at taproot@redwing.net after purchase and... |
 |
Addict In The Family: Stories of Loss, Hope, and Recovery. by Beverly Conyers (Author) In a well-written, powerful narrative, Conyers shows family members at their worst before showing how they found hope and recovery. Always engaging and healing, each heart-wrenching story is true to the experience of anyone who has admitted to a spiritual powerlessness and inability to cure their own family's addiction. Conyers skillfully, compassionately, and intelligently distills key recovery points that offer invaluable lessons on loving, detachment, intervention, self-care, self-help groups, community support, addiction and recovery, neurobiology, and family dynamics. For someone who has an addicted family member or loved one and seeks to better understand addiction in families, this is the book to read. Through compelling testimonials, along with the latest research and... |
 |
Drug Use and Abuse: A Comprehensive Introduction by Howard Abadinsky (Author) Current and insightful, the up-to-date Sixth Edition of Howard Abadinsky's DRUG USE AND ABUSE: A COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION offers an interdisciplinary, comprehensive survey of all aspects of the drug and alcohol abuse issue, including the impact of drugs on our society; their history and the pharmacological impact of drugs on the body; drug policy implications; the criminal justice system response; the effects, treatment, and prevention of abuse; theories of use; the drug business; and drug law enforcement. |
|
Narcotics & Drug Abuse a-Z - Volume 2 by Croner Publications Inc | |
 |
Drugs Abuse and Drug Use-2 DVD Set - Marijuana, Tobacco, Heroin, Coffee, LSD and More Also With: www.yumheart.com (Producer) Narcotics: Pit of Despair (Parts I&II) 1967 13:44 14:51 Dark vision of drug use. * The Terrible Truth 1951 10:03 Early film on marijuana use. * Opium Destruction, San Francisco 1914 2:14. * Distant Drummer: Flowers of Darkness 1972 22:12. Traces the history of opium and heroin. * Day In The Death Of Donny B. 1969 14:10. Docudrama, Cinema-Verite style, which follows a junkie on his never-ending quest for money, and ultimately, his fix. * Drug Abuse: The Chemical Tomb 1969. Interesting anti-drug film criticizing drug use as an inhibitor of necessary social change. * Drug Addiction 1951 21:02. Classic 'slippery slope' narrative of post-World War II stoned slackerdom. * Subject: Narcotics 1951 21:01. Produced for police orientation and training.. * The Pharmacist 1946 9:37. Career... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |