09 September 2008 - Statistics from the Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Database

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 2007/08:

• A total of 507 individuals were in contact with Substitute Prescribing treatment services. (This compares to 463 in 2006/07).
• 86 individuals (95 in 2006/07) discontinued from the scheme – the main reason given was ‘managed discontinuation of SP’.

On 31 March 2008:

• 367 individuals were receiving substitute medication. (This compares to 323 at the same time last year).
• 328 of those individuals had been stabilised on their substitute medication - 49% on buprenorphine and a further 47% on methadone.
• 295 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, 15% reported injecting in the four weeks prior to their review, compared to 52% who had injected in the four weeks prior to their first assessment.

Notes to Editors:

1. This information was collated by the Public Health Information and Research Branch (PHIRB) within the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

2. This is the third bulletin that reports on the operation of the Substitute Prescribing Scheme, which began on 1 April 2004.

3. There are currently 13 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:

7. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 028 905 20571. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.