Have a Safe and Happy Christmas and New Year

The Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership (OHADP) launches its winter campaign with a focus on raising awareness of harms caused by alcohol and drug use and how to keep yourself and others safe.    

Coming up to the festive season, it can be difficult to avoid the advertising and promotion of alcohol on TV, in papers, magazines and shops.    For anyone feeling under pressure there are options available to you to ensure you have a safe, happy festive time.    

Scotland is facing a public health challenge with high levels of both drug and alcohol deaths in the UK.   There were 1,051 drug related deaths in 2022 and 1,276 alcohol specific deaths in 2022.  In the Western Isles during 2022 there were 654 alcohol related attendances at Emergency departments with 36 drug related hospital discharges.  

The Chief Medical Officer recommends that people who chose to drink, don’t drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week.   It can be easy to go over this limit when you consider that six pints of beer, at 4% alcohol by volume (abv) or six medium glasses of wine at 13% abv is 14 units.   Keep a check on your units by accessing the drinks calculator on the Count14.scot website at https://www.count14.scot/#unit-calculator.   ‘Binge’ drinking can also impact your health so if you do choose to drink, spread that evenly over the week rather than in one go.   To reduce this, consider lower strength or alcohol-free beers, ciders and wines.  Go for single rather than double measures, choose mocktails or stick to soft drinks and let your friends know to respect your decision not to drink.   

The Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership would advise people not to use illegal drugs.  However, for those who choose to, it is important to be aware of what you have taken.  Some illegal drugs can contain other substances and a mixture of drugs which could cause a reaction.  That is why it is important that you try a small amount and wait at least an hour to gauge the effects before considering taking any more.  Stick to the amount you have rather than buy more and only take drugs in a safe environment. 

Be alert to ‘spiking’, where a person gives alcohol or other drugs to someone else without consent.  Signs to look out for include confusion, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech, and vomiting.  Less uncommon is spiking by needle. If you do suspect you or someone you know has been attacked with a needle, alert the venue manager, and contact the police immediately and don’t leave the person alone.  Monitor them and if they deteriorate, please call an ambulance, or take them to the nearest Emergency Department.   Spiking is an offence, and anyone charged with this crime could face a prison sentence.   

If you or someone you know uses opioids, think about carrying Naloxone which is used to reverse the effects of an overdose from drugs such as Heroin, Methadone, Buprenorphine and Oxycodone, as well as other illicit and prescribed opiate-based medications.  You can request a Naloxone kit by post through Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) on their secure online portal – https://www.sfad.org.uk/support-services/take-home-naloxone with free training provided.  

If you are worried about your own drug taking or someone else’s there are various sites, you can access.  SFAD’s website has drug and alcohol factsheets, information on prescription drugs, support for LGBTQ+, families, and communities as well as offering helplines and online forums.      

Crew Harm Reduction Resources contains information on the most current, up to date drugs and their side effects.   NHS Inform provides information on the risks of drinking or taking drugs –  Healthy living | NHS inform.   You might also wish to consider having a chat with your GP or practice nurse.    

Further information and details of local and national alcohol and drug treatment services can be found on the Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership website- www.outerhebadp.com or telephone 01851 762022.