Drug deaths double in Moray

DRUGS have contributed to four deaths in Moray so far this year, already twice the total for the whole of 2010, according to NHS Grampian.

Newly-released figures show that four of the 27 people in Grampian, whose deaths in 2011 have been described as "drug-related", have come from Moray.

A total of 36 people died of drug-related issues in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray in 2010. However, only two lived in Moray.

Inspector Andy Imray, Grampian Police’s substance misuse coordinator, said the region has seen an "alarming number of tragic and avoidable deaths" since the turn of the year.

"In the majority of cases, people have taken a lethal cocktail of substances, ones which on their own present dangers but when taken together amplify these risks. Combinations of drugs including alcohol, benzodiazepine, heroin, methadone and cocaine have been involved," he said.

Dr Bruce Davidson, the consultant psychiatrist for the department, said there are theories as to why the number of deaths may have spiked upwards in the first part of 2011.

The "particularly variable" quality of heroin may be one factor, he suggested.

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