An independent commission set up to help reduce the number of drug deaths in Dundee has issued a final call for evidence.
The Dundee Drugs Commission was set up in March last year to investigate the high number of drug-related deaths in the city and ways these can be reduced.
The Commission is due to publish its findings in June but people still have a week left in which to submit evidence to it.
It is asking for submissions in four key areas: the need to reduce drug related deaths, a lack of metal health support for users, improving leadership and governance, and the need to improve the quality and breadth of treatment available.
All responses will be treated in confidence and anonymised in any future report.
Andy Perkins, director of the Figure 8 consultancy contracted to run the commission, said: “We are working on a draft report at the moment and hope to finalise that in May and then launch the report sometime in the middle of June.
“There has been a lot of interest politically, both locally and nationally and a lot of people looking to support the recommendations that come out of the commission.”
An initial survey carried out by the commission about drug abuse in Dundee received nearly 1,000 responses.
Some 153 respondents (16.5% of the total) had concerns about opiate replacement therapy and the support given to addicts on the heroin-substitute methadone.
A similar number of people, 152, said education about drugs was key to reducing the toll of drug deaths in Dundee while 131 people (14.1%) said the city getting a dedicated rehabilitation centre may help reduce fatalities.
A spokesperson for Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Problematic substance use continues to be a concern in Dundee and improving the support for people who have problem drug use is a priority for us.
“The use of opiate substitution treatments methadone and buprenorphine in assisting people dealing with the problems associated with opiate use is part of a broader package of care to help break the cycle of harmful drug use.
“Early intervention is important to tackle the circumstances that lead to substance use, alongside the provision of co-ordinated, holistic health and social care to address the multiple needs of those at highest risk of drug-related injury or death.”
“If anyone has concerns about their own drug use or that of a friend or family member, we would encourage them to seek support from.”
Anyone who wishes to submit evidence to the Dundee Drugs Commission can do so by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDC-FinalCall
Support is available from the Dundee Integrated Substance Misuse Service on 01382 632542.
