People in the most deprived areas of Scotland were six times more likely to be admitted for an alcohol-related conditions than those in the least deprived areas (991 compared to 153 per 100,000 population), making our work with partner charities in supporting the most deprived, marginalised and isolated young adults into work and improving their life chances absolutely essential.
The need for our cannabis education and training to protect and enable young adults to understand the risk of use is emphasised by Public Health Scotland figures (2023) showing that cannabinoids are responsible for a third ( 29%) of new psychiatric admissions (higher than opioids at 26%) in Scotland. In the Western Isles, it is responsible for one in every two, 40% in Mid & East Lothian (49%), Fife (42%) and East Renfrewshire (40%). Looking more broadly, half of the patients with a drug-related hospital stay lived in the most deprived areas in Scotland and drug-related deaths (DRDs) have increased annually across Scotland (2014 and 2020) consolidating Scotland's place at the top of European drug-related mortality charts.
Our most recent worries include vaping, especially illicit vapes that are high in nicotine and have been found to contain up to 200 chemicals such as THC, spice and nickel. 50% 0f 17 year olds have vaped according to ASH. Also on our radar is poly substance use, such as combining Buckfast wine with cocaine and the rise of ‘street benzos’ after talks with partner charities. So our work in Scotland ensuring that young adults' life chances are not derailed by excess alcohol or substance misuse is key, as is our ability to respond as the issues that challenge them change day to day.
|