25 September 2007 - Statistics from the Northern Ireland substitute prescribing database: 31 March 2007

The bulletin, published by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, reports on information collected through the Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Database, which was established in April 2004.

Summary

During 2006/07:

• A total of 463 individuals were in contact with Substitute Prescribing (SP) treatment services.
• 95 individuals discontinued from the scheme – the main reason given was ‘managed discontinuation of SP’.

On 31 March 2007:

• 323 individuals were receiving substitute medication.
• 290 of those individuals had been stabilised on their substitute medication. 49% on Methadone, 47% on Buprenorphine and 4% on Dihydrocodeine.
• 260 individuals had been stabilised and had been subject to at least one review.
• At review stage, 21% reported heroin as their main problem drug, compared to 79% when first assessed for substitute prescribing treatment.
• Of those individuals who had injected, 15% reported injecting in the four weeks prior to their review, compared to 53% who had injected in the four weeks prior to their first assessment.

Notes to Editors:

1. This information was collated by the Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit (DAIRU) within the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
2. This is the second bulletin that reports on the operation of the Substitute Prescribing Scheme, which began on 1 April 2004.
3. There are currently thirteen statutory specialist drug services across Northern Ireland providing treatment under the Substitute Prescribing Scheme.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. The publication is available online at:

http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/public_health/statistics_and_research-drugs_alcohol-2.htm

Additional Information is available from:

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