Known for its sweeping landscape and bombastic people, Scotland certainly serves as a melting pot of medieval warfare and modern flamboyance, in all the best possible ways. Visitors to this small country will enjoy exchanging conversations with overly friendly men and women and will definitely marvel at the splendor of the Scottish Highlands, filled with endless swaths of violet heather. Sometimes, standing near the castle on a loch, the music of bagpipes (the instrument of war) still ring loudly through the chilly air. So, you may be very sad to hear that this amazing country serves as the capital of Europe’s worst drug problem. In fact, a recent report indicates that Scotland currently suffers from the worst levels of drug-related deaths in the continent (compared to the UK and Wales). Let’s take a closer look at the sad reality of this situation.
Death Cocktails
At this time, Scottish officials have been urged to take drastic action after studies confirmed that, in 2017, the country had suffered the highest drug-related death rate in Europe. According to statistics, a staggering 943 people died from drug overdoses, two times larger than the rate of deaths in the United Kingdom. Further analyses sadly confirmed that 70% of the deceased victims were 35 years and older, which solidifies the grim reality of long-term drug use in Scotland. Even more disturbing, 87% of deaths were caused by opioids, specifically heroin and methadone. Officials have also implied that 337 deaths were caused by death cocktails (mixtures of these destructive substances).
What’s the Root of the Problem?
In a recent report, David Liddell (chief executive of the Scottish Drugs Form charity) explained that the government is spending more money on road fixtures than investing in rehabilitation programs for addicts. As of now, 61,000 Scottish people suffer from this detrimental disease, and many of these addicts die from other drug-related factors besides overdoses.
Similarly, John Fitzpatrick (public health minister of Scotland) also agrees that the country is not taking proper measures to deal with the Trainspotting generation. Likewise, he added that drug-treatment strategies should focus on the overall health of an individual (not just drug problems), including issues related to mental health and unemployment.
Always remember that drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.