Dozens of people in Tayside died from drugs last year, according to a new report presented to Dundee Community Health Partnership.
The figure, 34, had actually fallen from 54 confirmed drugs deaths in 2012.
However, the author of the report, consultant in public health Lucy Denvir, said: “One drug death is one too many and those involved in the drug death review process have no intention of becoming complacent.”
The report outlined a profile of a typical drug death victim in Tayside, based on the 2012 figures.
They are typically a man in his 30s from Dundee who will have experienced adversity in childhood and adulthood.
They will have left school early and they will be unemployed.
Other characteristics include “chaotic living circumstances and relationships,” and the typical victim is likely to have children and a criminal history.
Ms Denvir said on average four substances are identified on post-mortem toxicology reports.
According to her report: “More than half of victims have already had at least one overdose and more than half of the deaths occur with others present who may have been able to save their lives.”
However, Ms Denvir outlined the steps being taken to try to combat these issues.
She said an Overdose Prevention Sub-group was established in 2010 which has been responsible for rolling out overdose training and take-home Naloxone programmes.
“The distribution of take-home Naloxone kits has doubled,” she said.
The sub-group will also be looking at target training for those working in homeless accommodation and work is ongoing to develop information sharing when a non-fatal overdose occurs.
A ‘safety bundle’ and standard care plan for those on methadone prescription are being developed by Tayside Substance Misuse Service.
A Children Affected by Parental Substance Misuse Needs Assessment is also currently in progress.