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, including drug-related deaths.
People with drug problems are often the most vulnerable and marginalised in society and experience stigma and social isolation. The Scottish Government wants more people to have the opportunity to recover from their drug problems and therefore, it is important to maintain an oversight of the estimated size of this population of people with multiple and complex needs.
Recent studies suggest that drug use among young people is falling, and confirms the presence of an ageing population of people with drug problems. Children and families affected by problem drug use can experience a range of difficulties and for this reason, improving outcomes for these children and families is a top priority for Government.
Problem drug use is also strongly linked to crime and the total economic and social costs of problem drug use in Scotland are estimated at around £3.5bn a year. Clearly, reducing the number of individuals with problem drug use through long-term, sustained and individual focussed recovery 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. An investment of £28.6 million to support access to recovery-focused services has been provided to Health Boards for frontline drug services in 2010-11; this represents an increase of over 20% since 2006-07.
How is Scotland performing?
Estimates of the number of individuals with problem drug use draw on a wide-range of data sources and, because they are estimating a largely hidden and unknown population, they are difficult to establish accurately.
The estimated number of individuals, aged 15 to 64 years old, with problem drug use in Scotland in 2009/10 was 59,600 compared with an estimate of 55,300 in 2006. This represents an estimated increase of 4,300 individuals with problem drug use since 2006.
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: Estimating the National and Local Prevalence of Problem Drug Misuse in Scotland
Criteria for recent change
This evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 2% per annum suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. A decrease in the rate of 2% per annum or more suggests the position is improving; whereas an increase of 2% or more per annum suggests the position is worsening. The threshold of 2% per annum chosen is based on an assessment of the data available at this time, and may need to be reviewed as more information becomes available in the future.
Further Information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Who are our partners?
Alcohol and Drug Partnerships
NHS Boards
Scottish Police forces
Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency
Local Authorities
Scottish Drug Recovery Consortium
Scottish training on Drugs and Alcohol
Scottish Families affected by Drugs
NHS Health Scotland
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer
Healthier
Safer and Stronger