Statistics from the Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Database: 31 March 2009
Thursday, 3 September 2009The Department of Health has published a Statistical Bulletin summarising the information collected on individuals referred to on the Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Scheme (SPS).
This is the fourth annual bulletin published by the SPS which was set up in 2004. It summarises information on individuals in receipt of Substitute Prescribing treatment for opiate dependence and it relates to those referred up to and including the 31 March 2009 and focuses on those clients in contact with Substitute Prescribing treatment services during 2008/09.
Key Points:
During 2008/09:
- A total of 550 individuals were in contact with Substitute Prescribing treatment services, compared to 507 in 2007/08.
- 79 individuals discontinued from the scheme – the main reason given was ‘failed to present for Substitute Prescribing’.
On 31 March 2009:
- 429 individuals were receiving substitute medication. This is compared to 367 individuals on 31 March 2008, an increase of 17%.
- 400 of those individuals had been stabilised. Half (50%) of clients were stabilised on methadone, and a further 48% were stabilised on buprenorphine.
- 364 of those individuals had been stabilised and had been subject to at least one review.
- At review stage, 24% reported heroin as their main problem drug, compared to 75% when first assessed for substitute prescribing treatment.
- Of those individuals who had injected, 16% reported injecting in the four weeks prior to review, compared to 56% who had injected in the four weeks prior to their first assessment.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Bulletin is published on the DHSSPS website
2. This information was collated by the Public Health Information and Research Branch within the DHSSPS.
3. This is the fourth bulletin that reports on the operation of the Substitute Prescribing Scheme, which began on 1 April 2004.
4. There are currently thirteen statutory specialist drug services across Northern Ireland providing treatment under the Substitute Prescribing Scheme.
5. The Substitute Prescribing Database collects information at four stages of treatment: following an individual’s initial assessment; following their stabilisation on a substitute medication; following regular review; and on an individual discontinuing with Substitute Prescribing.
6. The bulletin presents information on the number of individuals referred to the Substitute Prescribing scheme, the drugs they misused, their injecting behaviour, those in receipt of substitute medication and those who are stabilised on their substitute medication. It also reports on individuals reviewed after their stabilisation and compares their current circumstances with when they were initially referred to the scheme.
Additional Information
Further information is available from:
Public Health Information and Research Branch Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Annexe 2 Castle Buildings Stormont Belfast BT4 3SQ Tel: 028 90 522520 Fax: 028 90 5232887. For media enquiries please contact the DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520074 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer on pager number pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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