Do you know enough about drug and alcohol abuse?

 

UK Drug and alcohol death highest in EuropeAlmost one in three drugs overdoses in Europe were recorded in the UK as the continent’s rate of drug deaths rose for the third year in a row, according to the European drugs agency.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jun/06/almost-one-in-three-drugs-overdoses-in-europe-occur-in-the-uk

According to The Breaking Free Group http://www.russellwebster.com/uk-drug-report-2017/

  • Drug-induced death is the fifth most common cause of preventable death among 15- to 49-year-olds in the UK.
  • Heroin is involved in the majority of deaths
  • Drugs in the UK have a higher level of purity and a lower cost than almost anywhere else in Europe, including countries with lower than average income levels, and higher than average living costs.

UK drug related deaths accounted for 31% of those recorded in Europe in 2016.

The next most prolific death toll was Germany at 15%

Those working in welfare, care and housing, will already understand the value of insight into the effects of addiction but experience tells me this is no longer limited to those with obvious social care requirements.

Addiction issues

The majority of drug related deaths now occur in men aged between 30 and 49. Probably a legacy of the 90’s drug culture, this is currently afflicting many affluent and outgoing adults. A clear indication that this is no longer a kid thing.

And whilst opiate use is alien to many of us, I’m confident that someone you know will freely admit to drinking an entire bottle of wine between home and bedtime, even on school nights.  Alcohol misuse is still the biggest risk factor for death and disability among 15-49 year-olds in the UK. Despite all the evidence,  many of us continue to collect a bottle of the single worst health risk along with our groceries.

Do you need to know more about the signs, symptoms and side effects of drug use?

Does your welfare or HR team have the skills they need to support and motivate those with addiction issues?

Check out the range of accredited, and expertly compiled on line learning modules associated with drug and alcohol misuse as well as many other health related issues. https://embraceresilience.com/library-accredited-learning-modules/

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