Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report
January 2023
A Management Information Statistics publication for Scotland
- Published
- 24 January 2023
- Type
- Statistical report
- Author
- Public Health Scotland
Metadata
The metadata for this document has been split into sections as there are some differences between the indicators.
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides a summary of the drug trend bulletin from Police Scotland Statement of Opinion (STOP) Unit (drugs expertise unit).
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Police Scotland STOP unit
Date that data are acquired
4 January 2023
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Continuity of data
The Police Scotland drug trend bulletins are designed to provide drug trend information, highlighting some of the current trends identified by the police in Scotland and other parts of the UK. The bulletin has and will evolves through time to provide timely distribution of drug related information.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs with sedative and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. They are also known as tranquilisers.
Nitazenes are a group of drugs with depressant and painkilling effects, also known as 2-benzyl benzimidazole opioids.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
The Police Scotland drug trend bulletin highlights some of the current trends identified by the police in Scotland and other parts of the UK.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Police seizures positive for controlled substances displayed as drug type.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on emergency naloxone administration in Scotland.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS)
Date that data are acquired
4 December 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
31 August 2020 to 27 November 2022, two months in arrears.
Continuity of data
SAS clinicians have been administering naloxone directly to patients experiencing symptoms of an opioid overdose since around 1998. There have been no changes in the guidance given to SAS clinicians regarding the administration of naloxone nor in the recording mechanisms or processes over the time series shown in the analysis. Further details can be found in the substance use section of the COVID wider impacts dashboard.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
Naloxone is a medicine used to prevent fatal opioid overdoses. Opioid overdoses are commonly associated with drug-related deaths. These data on the numbers of incidents in which naloxone was administered by SAS clinicians provide an indication of numbers of suspected opioid overdoses.
A small percentage of these administrations will have been due to circumstances other than an illicit opioid overdose (for example, some may relate to prescribed opioid overdoses or to adverse reactions associated with medications administered in the course of emergency treatment).
Also, in a small number of cases, naloxone may be administered to someone who is unconscious for unconfirmed reasons, which may be confirmed at a later point not to have been an opioid overdose. While these data count multiple overdose patients at the same incident separately, multiple naloxone administrations to the same patient at the same incident are not counted separately.
Under some circumstances, naloxone administration will not successfully reverse an opioid overdose (for example, if administered too late) and these statistics should not be interpreted as equating to numbers of lives saved.
Further details can be found in the substance use section of the COVID wider impacts dashboard.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
SAS data on numbers of naloxone incidents are collated from data entered by ambulance clinicians recording medications administered to patients via an electronic tablet in the vehicle. Data recording is typically completed within 30 minutes of the end of an incident. Further details can be found in the substance use section of the COVID wider impacts dashboard.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Number of incidents in which naloxone was administered by SAS clinicians and moving averages.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on drug overdose or intoxication attendances at emergency departments in Scotland.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Public Health Scotland – Accident & Emergency Datamart
Date that data are acquired
5 December 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness 6 July 2020 and 27 November 2022.
Data are available for analysis approximately two months after the events described.
Continuity of data
There have been no changes in the national recording mechanisms or processes over the time series shown in the analysis.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
A drug–related emergency department (ED) attendance is an attendance for a drug intoxication or overdose, either alone, or combined with alcohol intoxication.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
It is not possible to accurately report total attendances for specific conditions using the national A&E dataset, due to the quality of the data available. Diagnosis/reason for attendance can be recorded in a variety of ways, including in free text fields and not all NHS boards submit this information. The numbers presented in this report therefore only give a high–level indication of attendances over time. Further details can be found in the data management – hospital activity webpage.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Number of drug overdose or intoxication attendances at emergency departments and moving averages.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on drug-related acute hospital admissions in Scotland.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Public Health Scotland – general acute inpatient/day case records (SMR01)
Date that data are acquired
16 December 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
29 June 2020 and 25 September 2022.
Data are available for analysis approximately two months after the events described.
Continuity of data
There have been no changes in the recording mechanisms or processes over the time series shown in the analysis. Further detail can be found in the drug-related hospital statistics publication background information.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
Opioids
Opioid drugs act on opioid receptors to produce sedative and painkilling effects. They are respiratory depressants (reduce heart rate and breathing). Opioids include synthetic (lab-made) drugs such as methadone and buprenorphine, as well as opiates (drugs made from opium) such as heroin and morphine.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
The data is routinely drawn from hospital administrative systems and International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD10) Diagnosis Codes used to identify admissions related to drug use. Some caution is necessary when using these data as drug use may only be suspected and may not always be recorded by the hospital. Further details can be found in the PHS drug-related hospital statistics report, and information on hospital administrative systems (SMR) data completeness can be found on the SMR completeness webpage.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Number of inpatient and day case admissions to general acute hospitals (excluding maternity, neonatal, geriatric long stay and admissions to psychiatric hospitals), presented by month of admission with moving averages.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on suspected drug deaths in Scotland.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Police Scotland
Date that data are acquired
14 December 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
28 June 2020 to 27 November 2022, approximately two months in arrears.
Continuity of data
There have been no changes in the national Police Scotland recording mechanisms or processes over the time series shown in the analysis.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
A sentence providing October 2022 figures was added to the suspected drug deaths headline on 26 January 2023.
Concepts and definitions
Drug-related death
A drug-related death (also referred to as drug misuse death) is a death where the underlying cause was confirmed to be drug poisoning and where any of the substances which were implicated, or potentially contributed to death, are controlled in the UK. National Statistics on drug-related deaths are published by NRS. In 2021 there were 1,330 drug-related deaths in Scotland. This was a small decrease compared to 2020 (1,339), which saw the highest annual total on record.
Suspected drug death
A suspected drug death is a death where controlled drugs are suspected of being involved. This operational measure used by Police Scotland is based on the reports, observations and initial enquiries of officers attending the scene of death.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
This indicator includes data on suspected drug deaths as recorded by all Police Scotland Divisions across Scotland.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Numbers of suspected drug deaths in Scotland and moving averages.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
First publication in this series
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
24 January 2023
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on number of attendances, length of stay and toxicology of presentations due to acute illicit drug toxicity at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) emergency department (ED), Glasgow, Scotland. This study assesses the feasibility of prospective surveillance of ED presentations due to acute illicit drug toxicity.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
QEUH, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Date that data are acquired
13 January 2023
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
19 August 2022 to 16 November 2022
Continuity of data
ASSIST: A Surveillance Study in Illicit Substance Toxicity is a pilot by the ED at the QEUH. It will run from August 2022 to August 2023, followed by a three-month follow up period.
QEUH will provide Public Health Scotland with toxicology screening data on a quarterly and ad-hoc basis for the purposes of public health surveillance.
Because the sample size is small, some of the variables are combined in a different way to the data shared in quarterly report 1 (October 2022), to ensure that they are completely non-identifiable. Later outputs may have narrower categories as the numbers become greater.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
Unique ED attendances
In this quarter there was a total of 273 unique attendances to the ED related to illicit drug use. Each separate attendance is counted as one. If the same person presented more than once, each attendance would be a separate data point.
Illicit drug
The use of the term ‘illicit drug’ encompasses any substance that is controlled. It excludes:
- legal substances such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and paracetamol
- medications recently prescribed to the individual
- drugs administered to the individual as part of treatment (by ambulance or hospital)
Metabolite
A drug metabolite is a compound produced when a drug breaks down in the body.
In this study, if either a drug or metabolite are detected, this will only be included as one substance – the drug. For example, if both diazepam and its metabolite desmethyldiazepam are detected, only diazepam is recorded.
If only a metabolite is detected this will be documented as the substance.
Due to this we are unable to ascertain the source of some substances, for example, oxazepam is a benzodiazepine, but it is also a metabolite of a range of other benzodiazepines, so we cannot determine whether oxazepam or another benzodiazepine was consumed.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs with depressant and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. They are also known as tranquilisers.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a short-lasting stimulant drug that increases heart rate and breathing.
Gabapentinoids
Gabapentinoids are a group of drugs with depressant and painkilling effects.
Opioids
Opioid drugs act on opioid receptors to produce sedative and painkilling effects. They are respiratory depressants (reduce heart rate and breathing).
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system. They are found in the cannabis plant (such as THC) or can be produced synthetically in a laboratory (synthetic cannabinoids).
Other stimulants
Other stimulants are stimulant drugs apart from cocaine. They increase heart rate, breathing and energy.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
Not all data identified for all ED attendances is available for analysis, due to the time required to send and receive toxicology results and to link patient and clinical data.
For quarter 1 of this study:
- total recruited (unique ED attendances related to illicit drug use): 273
- completed Castor (clinical notes made by research nurses) data available: 134
- completed West of Scotland Safe Haven (electronic clinical record) data available: 113
- toxicology results available: 76
- toxicology results presented here (as have corresponding Castor data): 38
The testing has been carried out by the LGC Group. LGC analyse pseudonymised samples using mass spectrometry and screen against a database of over 3,500 analytes including illicit drugs, novel psychoactive substances, synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, benzodiazepines and medications. We are confident that the compound screen used by LGC is up to date with known drugs and metabolites so will be detected in this study. This analysis does not, however, imply that specific drugs were implicated in harms.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Number of ED attendances related to illicit drug use, destination on discharge from the ED, number of hours in the ED, number of hours in hospital, anonymised toxicology results of surplus serum sampling by drug type and drug category.
This study includes patients aged 16 or over attending QEUH adult ED directly related to acute illicit drug use. It excludes patients where the condition is more likely due to a cause other than acute illicit drug use, due to withdrawal, primarily related to alcohol use or where the attendance is due to a complication of previous drug use, i.e. infected injection site.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
16 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on forensic toxicology testing for controlled substances completed at post-mortem in Scotland.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Forensic Toxicology Service within Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, on behalf of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Date that data are acquired
19 December 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
1 January 2020 and 30 September 2022, approximately three months in arrears.
Continuity of data
There have been no changes in the national recording mechanisms or processes over the time series shown in the analysis.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
Forensic Medicine and Science undertakes toxicology testing on behalf of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for post-mortem cases where controlled drugs (as defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971) were found present.
Detailed interpretation of the levels of drugs found present, drug interactions, co–morbidities or other factors relating to death are outside the scope of this analysis.
This analysis does not imply that specific drugs were implicated in deaths nor that deaths were classified as 'drug–related' and does not include consideration of wider causes of death.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs with depressant and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. They are also known as tranquilisers. Diazepam is a ‘prescribable benzodiazepine’. Etizolam, clonazolam and bromazolam are ‘street benzos’, benzodiazepines that are not licensed for prescription in the UK.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a short-lasting stimulant drug that increases heart rate and breathing. This group includes powder cocaine and crack cocaine.
Gabapentin/pregabalin
Gabapentin and pregabalin are gabapentinoids, a group of drugs with depressant and painkilling effects.
Opioids
Opioid drugs act on opioid receptors to produce sedative and painkilling effects. They are respiratory depressants (reduce heart rate and breathing). This category includes buprenorphine, fentanyl, heroin/morphine and methadone.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
The data above are for deaths occurring in the west, east and parts of the north of Scotland. Apart from a very small number of cases analysed at the University of Glasgow, post–mortem toxicology testing for deaths occurring in Aberdeen and the far north of Scotland is conducted by a similar service at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI). Results from the ARI are not included in this report.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Number and percentage of forensic toxicology cases testing positive for controlled substances by drug type.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on drug types most commonly detected in drug seizures in Scottish prisons.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS), University of Dundee.
Date that data are acquired
11 October 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
1 March 2020 and 31 May 2022, approximately six months in arrears.
Continuity of data
There have been no changes in the seizures recording mechanisms or processes over the time series shown in the analysis.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs with depressant and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. They are also known as tranquilisers. Benzodiazepines detected in this project include etizolam, flubromazepam, bromazolam, diazepam and flualprazolam.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a short-lasting stimulant drug that increases heart rate and breathing. This group includes powder cocaine and crack cocaine.
Gabapentinoids
Gabapentinoids are a group of drugs with depressant and painkilling effects. On average, in this project 16% of gabapentinoid detections are for gabapentin and 84% are for pregabalin.
Opioids
Opioid drugs act on opioid receptors to produce sedative and painkilling effects. They are respiratory depressants (reduce heart rate and breathing). Opioids include synthetic (lab-made) drugs such as methadone and opiates (drugs made from opium) such as heroin. Opioids detected in this project include buprenorphine, heroin, tramadol, codeine, dihydrocodeine, metonitazene, oxycodone and methadone.
Synthetic cannabinoids
'Synthetic cannabinoids' is a term used to describe over 200 lab-made drugs that interact with the endocannabinoid system.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
Our analysis includes all data provided to PHS by LCRFS. LCRFS does not analysis all seizures from SPS and this data should be considered as a sizeable subset of all national prison seizures.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Percentage of drug seizures analysed by the LRCFS by drug type and sample type (card, paper, powder or tablet).
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on specialist drug treatment referrals in Scotland.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Public Health Scotland – Drug and Alcohol Information System (DAISy)
Public Health Scotland – Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times Database (DATWT)
Date that data are acquired
29 November 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
7 August 2020 to 13 November 2022, approximately two months in arrears.
Continuity of data
These data have been extracted from Drug and Alcohol Information System (DAISy) and its predecessor, the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times (DATWT) database (both Public Health Scotland). DAISy was available in all NHS Boards from April 2021 (while four NHS Boards were early adopters and transferred to DAISy on 1 December 2020; NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Dumfries & Galloway, NHS Grampian and NHS Western Isles).
Direct comparisons between recent and earlier numbers of referrals recorded in DAISy and the DATWT database respectively, should be interpreted carefully (see revisions statement for further explanation).
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
A new continuation of care process was introduced in DAISy which affects how referrals are recorded when people have started treatment and move from one service to another without a break or change in their treatment (for instance, when moving between community-based and prison-based services). Previously in the DATWT database, a referral would have been recorded at both the transferring and receiving service, and the subsequent waiting time for treatment would be recorded at both. In DAISy, if a person is transferred following the continuation of care process, only one wait is recorded, associated with the initial service where the person started treatment, but a referral is recorded for both services. In previous versions of this report these continuation of care referrals were not included. They have been incorporated to improve comparability between DATWT and DAISy.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
These data relate to the number of referrals to specialist drug and alcohol treatment services in Scotland delivering tier 3 and 4 interventions (community-based specialised drug assessment and co-ordinated care-planned treatment, and residential specialised drug treatment). These data are for community-based drug and alcohol treatment services and exclude prison-based services.
An additional ‘co-dependency’ client type was introduced, where the referral relates to treatment for both drug and alcohol use. Co-dependency has only been recorded in all NHS Boards since the introduction of DAISy (April 2021) so is not available as a separate client type in the earlier years. This data is the number of referrals where the client type is recorded as either ‘drugs’ or ‘co-dependency’.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
Drug and alcohol treatment services are required to submit accurate and up-to-date waiting times information to PHS. These referrals data are management information and includes all services that enter data on DAISy and its predecessor, the DATWT database. (This contrasts with the figures reported in the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times Statistics release for Scotland where data from services that were unable to confirm their data were accurate and up-to-date within specified timescales are excluded). Further details can be found in the substance use section of the COVID wider impacts dashboard.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Number of specialist drug treatment referrals and moving averages.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on opioid substitution therapy prescribing in Scotland.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Public Health Scotland – Prescribing Information System (PIS)
Public Health Scotland - Hospital Medicines Utilisation Database (HMUD)
Date that data are acquired
16 December 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
1 January 2018 to 30 September 2022.
Data from PIS are available for analysis approximately three months after an OST prescription has been dispensed.
HMUD data availability can vary by NHS Board. However, the injectable buprenorphine data shown in this release are considered complete.
Continuity of data
The data shown are considered to provide a comprehensive account of OST prescribing for the time series presented, including data from GP and hospital prescribing systems.
Revisions statement
Data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The data shown in the most recent quarterly update supersedes data reported in previous releases.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
Defined daily dose
When comparing use between medicines and over time it is common to use World Health Organization (WHO) defined daily doses (DDDs). The DDD is defined as the usual average daily maintenance dose used in adults for the main therapeutic use of the medicine. The WHO DDD is a global average and may not be representative of the doses used in clinical practice at a more local level.
Average daily quantity
Due to differences between the average OST doses used in Scotland and the rest of the world, the analysis presented here is based on average daily quantities (ADQs). These are more representative of the daily maintenance doses used within Scotland and were developed via analysis of prescriptions and by consultation with the Specialist Pharmacists in Substance Misuse group. The ADQs agreed are:
- methadone (oral): 65 mg
- buprenorphine (oral): 13 mg
- buprenorphine (parenteral/injectable): 3.4 mg
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a synthetic partial opioid agonist used to treat acute pain, chronic pain and opioid dependence. Prescribed for daily use (oral) or weekly or monthly prolonged release (injectable), buprenorphine relieves opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms and blocks the effects of other opioids. As with other opioids, buprenorphine can result in sedation, respiratory depression and death. These statistics relate to the prescribing of oral (2 mg, 8 mg and 16 mg buprenorphine or buprenorphine and naloxone tablets) and injectable buprenorphine (various strengths) for the treatment of opioid dependence.
Opioids
Opioid drugs act on opioid receptors to produce sedative and painkilling effects. They are respiratory depressants (reduce heart rate and breathing). Opioids include synthetic (lab-made) drugs such as methadone and buprenorphine, as well as opiates (drugs made from opium) such as heroin and morphine.
Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid agonist used to treat chronic pain and opioid dependence. Prescribed for daily use, methadone relieves opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. As with other opioids, methadone can result in sedation, respiratory depression and death. These statistics include data on the prescribing of methadone 1mg/1ml solution for the treatment of opioid dependence.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available are published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
There are differences between community prescribing data (PIS) and hospital prescribing data (HMUD) in the way that dates are allocated to medications supplied. The basis for date allocation in PIS data is the month in which the costs associated with dispensing medication are reimbursed. The basis for date allocation in HMUD data is the month in which medications are supplied for onward administration to patients. While useful to note, these differences are not thought to have a significant impact on the reliability of this analysis.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
The data shown are considered to provide a comprehensive account of OST prescribing for the time series presented, including data from GP and hospital prescribing systems.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Total number of ADQ doses of methadone, oral buprenorphine and injectable buprenorphine supplied in Scotland, based on community and hospital prescribing data.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023
Publication title
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report – January 2023
Description
This indicator provides information on injecting equipment provision (IEP) in Scotland.
Theme
Substance use surveillance
Topic
Drugs
Format
HTML
Data source(s)
Public Health Scotland – Needle Exchange Online (neo360)
Date that data are acquired
28 November 2022
Release date
24 January 2023
Frequency
Quarterly
Timeframe of data and timeliness
29 June 2020 to 2 October 2022.
Data are available for analysis approximately three months after the events described.
Continuity of data
Caution is recommended when interpreting these statistics. Service provision in some areas has changed over time. Some outlets will have closed, and others will have opened.
The methods used by areas to count or estimate some of the figures may also have changed.
Revisions statement
Data in the most recent quarterly updates supersedes data reported in previous reports.
Revisions relevant to this publication
N/A
Concepts and definitions
Transactions
Refers to an attendance at an injecting equipment provider, either pharmacy or agency which involved provision of a syringe or needle at IEP outlets. People who inject drugs may attend IEP outlets at any time, whether or not they are undertaking specialist treatment for problematic drug use.
Further details can be found in the PHS Injecting Equipment Provision in Scotland report.
Relevance and key uses of the statistics
Data are collected as part of public health surveillance on substance use in Scotland.
The most up–to–date data available is published in this report to provide a timely indicator of drug trends as part of RADAR, Scotland’s Drugs Early Warning System.
Accuracy
The data are considered accurate.
Data are validated locally by data suppliers/partnerships/sources and checked by PHS.
Where relevant, data quality and completeness issues are described in the text associated with each indicator.
The Code of Practice for Statistics has been followed to ensure a high standard of data value, trustworthiness and quality.
Completeness
This indicator includes data on transactions and needle and syringe distribution by injecting equipment providers in mainland Scotland NHS Boards.
It does not include data for NHS Shetland, NHS Orkney and NHS Western Isles.
The 11 mainland NHS Boards use neo360 routinely, but due to missing data for part of the time period presented, NHS Highland is excluded from the transaction data, and both NHS Fife and NHS Highland are excluded from the needle and syringe figures.
Comparability
Data are not comparable outwith Scotland.
Accessibility
It is the policy of PHS to make its websites and products accessible according to our accessibility statement. Graphs and tables have been assessed against PHS accessibility standards.
Accessibility of the report and findings are of continuous consideration throughout the report development.
Coherence and clarity
The report is available as HTML web pages.
Wherever possible, plain English descriptions have been used within the narrative and any technical words or phrases explained.
Value type and unit of measurement
Number of IEP transactions, number of needles and syringes distributed and moving averages.
Disclosure
Our protocol on statistical disclosure is followed.
Official Statistics designation
Management Information Report
UK Statistics Authority Assessment
N/A
Last published
11 October 2022
Next published
25 April 2023
Date of first publication
11 October 2022
Help email
Date form completed
9 January 2023