Acknowledgements
This report comprises a series of investigations into various relevant aspects of drug related deaths in Scotland in 2003. Members of the investigating team responsible for each of these research studies were:
- Trends in and characteristics of drug related deaths in Scotland, 1996-2003
Sharon Hutchinson and Matt Hickman
- Circumstances of death and toxicological findings
Deborah Zador and Matt Hickman
- Comparison of Scottish and London drug related deaths
Matt Hickman and Deborah Zador
- Social circumstances and treatment contacts in the 6 months prior to death
Brian Kidd, Alex Baldacchino and Tom Fahey
- Experiences of overdose survivors
Avril Taylor
The investigators and senior research fellow, Andrew Rome, thank:
Hope Stewart, Tina Bool, Keith Taylor, Lucy Gorham, Rod Wallace and Sarah McGarrol, our data collectors who went to all corners of the country to access case records.
Sarah McGarrol, special thanks for ongoing data collection and analysis through to the end of the project.
Graham Jackson at GROS for his helpful advice.
Allison Brady and colleagues at Glasgow City Council Social Work Department for accessing all their records and completing the CSC data collection forms.
Karen Norrie, Emma Everett and the staff members from all Scottish prisons who spent two days completing the CSC forms for all those known to their service.
Elizabeth Allen and David Young from Health Protection Scotland (Formerly SCIEH) for developing the CSC database and assisting with the analysis of data.
Alan Cameron at Crown Office for arranging for all Fiscal files to be brought together for us to work on and for accommodating us during that time.
Susan Frame and colleagues at ISD for collecting all the hospital contacts data.
Detective Superintendent Gillian Wood and colleagues at SDEA for providing us with information.
All the DAAT teams for their help, support and direction in collecting data in their areas.
The managers and staff of health and social care services in Scotland who gave us an unprecedented level of access to all case records.
The National Investigation Steering Group for their advice and helpful comments throughout the duration of the investigation.