Drug-Related Death Review Group
Each drug-related death is investigated in the Borders by a multiagency group (Drug Related Death Review Group). Membership of this group includes NHS Borders, Police Scotland, Scottish Borders Council Social Work Services, Scottish Ambulance Service, We Are With You Borders and the Alcohol & Drugs Partnership.
The purpose of the group is to capture data on health and social circumstances to inform national reporting as well as make recommendations for policy and practice locally to reduce drug related deaths in the future.
More information on the role and remit of the Drug Related Death Review Group can be found here.
Signs and Symptoms of Overdose
It is important to know the signs of overdose so that you can intervene
- Pinpoint pupils
- Shallow / slow breathing
- Pale skin
- Blue lips
- Snoring / rasping breaths
Times when people may be more at risk of overdose can be:
- On release from prison
- On leaving residential rehabilitation or hospital
- When recently detoxed
- During relapse
- When in poor physical or mental health
- After a recent life event, such as a bereavement
- During festive periods, weekends or holidays
What to do in an emergency situation
- Be vigilant and think about own safety first.
- Check the casualty for a response – shake their shoulders and shout loudly ‘open your eyes
- If there is no response, shout for help from anyone that is around
- Turn the casualty on their back and open airway by gently placing two fingers under their chin and tilting their head back
- Place your ear above the casualty’s mouth and LISTEN for breathing, FEEL for breath on your cheek. Also LOOK at their chest to see if it rises and falls. Do this for 10 seconds
- BREATHING – place casualty in the recovery position and DIAL 999, stay with the person until ambulance arrives, administer Naloxone
- NOT BREATHING – DIAL 999, Begin CPR, the call handler can talk you through the process
Support for families affected by drug related deaths
- Support for families affected by drug deaths can be accessed here.
- Information for anyone who has experienced the sudden or unexplained death of a loved one, and/or is bereaved through drugs or alcohol SFAD Sudden and Unexplained Deaths Bereavement Booklet