Drug Misuse
8.24 Drug misuse can result in premature mortality, with fatal overdoses (resulting from cardiac arrest or respiratory failure) the most common. Increased drug-related disease and mortality may also be consequences of sharing injecting equipment, or accidents and injuries. People with drug problems are also more likely to have associated mental health problems, to self harm and to overdose with suicidal intent.
8.25 The British Crime Survey (2003/04) shows that (nationally) between 1998 and 2003/04 drug misuse (defined by the use of ‘Any Drug’) has remained stable. However, Class A drug use among 16-59 year olds did increase significantly between 1998 and 2003/04. This was mainly due to increased use of cocaine and ecstasy and an increased proportion of people aged 25-59 taking Class A drugs.
8.26 On 1 April 2006 the South West had 20,743 clients in treatment with drug services of whom 71.5% were male and 28.6% were aged under 25 (National Drug Treatment Monitoring System -South West). Around 50% of clients either referred themselves or were referred into treatment through a GP. In the 2004/05 period the most common age group for those in treatment in the South West was 25-29 years. The main drugs of misuse amongst clients in drug treatment services were Heroin (68%), Cannabis (10%), Cocaine Freebase (5%) and Amphetamines (5%).