PHA advice on preventing stimulant-related deaths

PHA advice on preventing stimulant-related deaths

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today issuing advice aimed at preventing stimulant-related death and illness.

The PHA has produced guidance aimed at anyone who comes into contact with stimulant drug users through work in the community and voluntary sector or in healthcare settings.

Stimulants include ecstasy, cocaine, speed, mephedrone and para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA). 

Many of what are commonly known as ‘legal highs’ are stimulants and are usually in powder, capsule or pill form.

Every year in Northern Ireland stimulants are a factor in between eight and ten deaths.

In the UK 251 new psychoactive substances were identified in 2012 and since then new drugs are being identified at a rate of approximately one per week.

It is often not clear what is contained within individual drugs. The quality and content of such drugs varies greatly and the name used may not bear any relation to their actual contents.

Victoria Creasy, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Officer with the PHA, said: “These drugs are not controlled in any way and you can never know what you are taking. The only way to avoid all the risks is to not take any drugs which haven’t been prescribed for you.”

The guidance includes information on the physical and psychological effects of stimulants. It also warns against bingeing on drugs and about mixing stimulants with alcohol, anti-depressants or other drugs.

“We want to ensure that those who work with drug users are as well informed as possible,” Victoria continued.

“The new guidance aims to support those who work in the community, voluntary and healthcare sectors to have conversations about stimulants with people who use them and to provide them with harm reduction advice to help reduce the risks they face.”

The guidance on stimulant drugs is available at http://bit.ly/1bJLtg2