Statistics from the Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Database: 31 March 2010 – Statistical Bulletin

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) today published a Statistical Bulletin summarising the information collected on individuals referred to the Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Scheme (SPS), which was established in April 2004.

This is the fifth annual bulletin. 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 2010 and focuses on those clients in contact with Substitute Prescribing treatment services during 2009/10.

Key findings

During 2009/10:

A total of 576 individuals were in contact with Substitute Prescribing treatment services, compared to 550 in 2008/09. 89 individuals discontinued from the scheme – the main reasons given were ‘failed to present for Substitute Prescribing’, ‘managed discontinuation of Substitute Prescribing’ and ‘unmanaged discontinuation of Substitute Prescribing’.

On 31 March 2010:

466 individuals were receiving substitute medication. This is compared to 429 individuals on 31 March 2009, an increase of 9%. 457 of those individuals had been stabilised. Just over half (52%) of clients were stabilised on methadone, and a further 47% were stabilised on buprenorphine. 423 of those individuals had been stabilised and had been subject to at least one review. At review stage, 22% reported heroin as their main problem drug, compared to 75% when first assessed for substitute prescribing treatment. Of those individuals who had injected, 17% reported injecting in the four weeks prior to review, compared to 55% who had injected in the four weeks prior to their first assessment.

Notes to editors:

1. The Bulletin is published on the Departmental for download

2. This information was collated by the Public Health Information and Research Branch within the DHSSPS.

3. This is the fifth 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.

Further information about this publication is available from:

Public Health Information and Research Branch
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Annex 2
Castle Buildings
Belfast BT4 3SQ

Telephone: 028 9052 2509
Fax: 028 9052 3288
E-mail: phirb@dhsspsni.gov.uk

7. For media enquiries please contact the DHSSPS Information Office on 02890 520074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.

8. Responsibility for the provision of statistical information on the Substitute Prescribing Database has now passed to the Information Team within the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB).