Police Scotland has reported a concerning increase in suspected drug deaths, with a 10% rise in 2023 compared to the previous year. According to data, there were 1,197 reported drug deaths in 2023, compared to 1,092 in 2022. The figure for individuals under the age of 25 remained relatively unchanged, with 54 reported in 2023 and 55 in 2022.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, founder and director of the drugs education charity the DSM Foundation, expressed her distress over the rising figures. As a mother who has experienced the loss of a child due to drugs, she understands the devastating impact these deaths have on families and loved ones. As the director of a charity dedicated to reducing drug-related harm, she emphasizes the importance of providing effective and evidence-based drug education to young people in Scotland. This education equips them with the necessary knowledge to make safer decisions and helps reduce the potential risks and harms associated with drug use.
Spargo-Mabbs also highlights the increasing exposure of young people to drugs through social media and peer pressure, making it even more crucial to provide adequate drug education. The DSM Foundation has been working towards this goal by providing interactive workshops, webinars, and training for students, parents, and teachers. They have also commissioned a play, “I Love You, Mum – I Promise I Won’t Die” by Mark Wheeller, which has been successfully performed in schools across Scotland. In addition, the charity is currently piloting a multi-component drug education program in nine schools in the Grampian region, with funding from Scottish Government, Police Scotland, local authorities, and schools. The evaluation of this pilot program by Aberdeen University will be shared in June, with the hope of expanding the program to more schools and communities across Scotland.
The DSM Foundation was established in 2014 after the tragic death of 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs from an accidental overdose of ecstasy. The foundation aims to provide young people with age-appropriate and evidence-based information about drugs, empowering them to make safe decisions. They also offer workshops, training, and resources for parents, caregivers, and educational settings. The charity’s commissioned play and resources are available free of charge on their website.
For more information about the DSM Foundation and their work, please visit https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/.
Media inquiries about this press release or the work of the DSM Foundation can be directed to media@dsmfoundation.org.uk.
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