Why is this National Indicator Important?
In international terms, Scotland has a disproportionately serious problem with drug misuse. It is a significant driver of economic underperformance, crime and victimisation, risk to children and health inequalities.
People who misuse drugs undermine their potential to lead rich and fulfilling lives and to make a positive contribution to society and the economy. They put at risk their relationships, their chances of employment and their health. People with problem drug use - especially those who inject - are at increased risk of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C. This, coupled with risky behaviour often contributes to premature deaths.
Although studies suggest that drug misuse among young people is falling, drug misuse in a family, especially parental drug misuse, can have devastating effects. The immediate effects include emotional or physical abuse; in the long term it will decrease the life chances of the child.
Problem drug use is also strongly linked to crime, particularly property crime such as theft, shoplifting, mugging and house breaking committed to fund a habit. The total economic and social costs of problem drug use in Scotland are estimated at around £2.6bn a year. Clearly, reducing the number of problem drug users is a key priority for the Government.
What will influence this National Indicator?
There are strong and clear links between: poverty; deprivation; mental health and wellbeing; health inequalities; repeat offending; victimisation; and drug addiction. Not everyone who lives in a disadvantaged neighbourhood will develop a problem. However, people are more at risk where there are: low employment opportunities; few community amenities; poor personal resources; and weak family and social bonds. Addressing wider inequalities such as housing, income, education and health can play an important role in reducing drug misuse. Tackling drug misuse effectively will, in itself, have a significant impact on inequalities in Scotland.
What is the Government's role?
The Government published in May 2008 "The Road to Recovery" - the first national drugs strategy for a decade. This sets out a new strategic direction for tackling problem drug use, based on treatment services promoting recovery. The strategy also sets out how the Government and its partners have a key role in tackling problem drug use through: taking a broad approach to prevention (promoting economic growth, delivering early interventions, and supporting families); measures to reduce supply through law enforcement; and intelligence-led activities to disrupt organised crime. It also proposes a range of measures to better ensure that children affected by parental substance misuse are safe. We want to build safer and stronger communities, more attractive to work and live in. Key to all of this is the effective delivery of the drug strategy at a national and local level.
How are we performing?
Estimates of the number of problem drug users draw on a wide range of sources and, by their nature, are difficult to establish accurately. However, we can be fairly confident that the reduction in the estimated levels of 55,800 in 2000 and 51,582 in 2003 is a genuine reduction.
Source: Estimating the National and Local Prevalence of Problem Drug Misuse in Scotland Centre for Drug Misuse Research, University of Glasgow Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health.
Methodology
Data for the two estimates does show a reduction in the estimated number of problem drug users. The nature of these data make it very difficult to define cut off points, and these are being investigated further. Thresholds for progress in relation to the estimates will be determined once a third estimate is available.
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Further Information
2007 Spending Review Technical Note
Statistics Topic Page
Who are our supporting delivery partners?
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer
Healthier
Safer and Stronger