Drug related deaths in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, 1995-1998

The misuse of drugs, both illicit and prescribed has increased dramatically in the west of Scotland over the last few decades. Consequently, the numbe r of drug related deaths has risen as a direct result. Since, discrepancies exist between data collected by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Sc ience. University of Glasgow and official statistics, this project, was fun ded to investigate all known drug related deaths that occurred within the S trathclyde region of Scotland in an effort to improve the accuracy of stati stics and the dissemination of information pertaining to them. Changes in m edical treatment, legislation and patterns of drug taking were noted and th e effects of these on the year-by-year death tolls evaluated. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.