Speaker
Description
Title: Sirens and Substances: What Ambulance Data Reveals About Youth Drug Trends
Authors: Miss Kira Watson; Mrs Suzie Gallagher, Miss Madie Stork
Affiliation : The Scottish Ambulance Service
Presenter/Corresponding author: Kira Watson
Contact details: kira.watson@nhs.scot
Background: This poster describes an audit carried out on drug-related incidents attended by the Scottish Ambulance Service between 2022 and 2025 involving young people aged 12-25.
There are currently limited data measures specifically exploring young people's drug use and the resultant harms in Scotland. Decision makers, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) and local services often rely on anecdotal information when responding to changes in drug market trends and drug use behaviours amongst under 25s.
Methods: The findings of this audit are reported through both qualitative and quantitative analysis of data held by SAS which includes aggregate information from electronic patient records (ePRs), calls logged by our Ambulance Control Centre (ACC). 14,586 incidents were extracted for analysis presenting a mix of intentional and accidental overdoses involving medicines and controlled drugs. Intentional overdoses and self-poisonings are not presented in this poster which focuses on incidents involving controlled drugs.
Results: SAS holds data on ambulance attendance for drug-related incidents across Scotland. This data includes information on age, location, presenting complaint and substances affecting condition. Exploration of this data offers a unique insight into the impact of drug-related harm on the Scottish Ambulance Service and changes in drug prevalence over time. The results show clear dominance of certain drugs being reported in incidents of harm and levels of polydrug use.
Discussion: Insights into young people’s drug use and the resultant harms are widely sought after within the UK and internationally. This audit has provided insights into the nature of drug-related harm affecting young people in Scotland and the prevalence of different drugs. Results from this audit will help inform SAS’ contribution to drug education and prevention approaches in addition to further expansion of the TRUST campaign which was designed to encourage young people to avoid delay in phoning 999 in a drug-related emergency.
Other information
Conflict of interest: None
| Conflict of interest | None |
|---|
