Be safe over Summer – drug awareness 

The Outer Hebrides Alcohol & Drug Partnership wants to make sure everyone stays safe and enjoys the summer season by providing information on substance use and helping individuals to make informed decisions.  

Across Scotland, there were 1051 deaths due to drug misuse in 2022 with those aged between 35-54 more likely to die. There are risks involved in taking any drug, especially when you are unaware of the content. You cannot be sure of the purity of a drug, and it can be more potent than you expect unless they have been prescribed specifically for you. This can be dangerous when mixing with other prescribed medicines and could lead to unpredictable results and impair your judgement. 

If you plan on using drugs, be cautious of the source, try a small amount and wait at least an hour before considering taking any more. Always have someone with you in case you become unconscious or at worst, overdose. 

Always protect yourself on a night out. If you feel you may have been ‘spiked’ tell the venue manager and make sure a trusted friend stays with and seeks medical attention, should you become unwell. Consider contacting the police on 101 so they can help stop this happening to anyone else. 

Naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose of opioids, such as heroin and codeine. If you or someone you know uses opioids and could be at risk of an overdose you can request a Naloxone Take Home Kit through the Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) postal service at  https://www.sfad.org.uk/support-services/take-home-naloxone. 

If someone falls unconscious it is vital that you put them in the recovery position. 

You may be worried about a family member’s drug use but there are resources you can access where you can find information on each drug, the street names, and effects. https://www.crew.scot/  and https://www.talktofrank.com/ 

If you feel you may have a problem with drugs, substances or even prescribed medication please talk to your GP. You can also find information of other alcohol and drug services available in Outer Hebrides on our website – www.outerhebadp.com