Lee Barnsdale

INTRODUCTION There is an urgent need to generate more consistent and transparent estimates of the prevalence of problem drug use—especially people who inject drugs (PWID) and people with opioid dependence—to understand better and inform policy makers on the scale of drug-related harm, intervention coverage and priorities for treatment and prevention [1-4].

INTRODUCTION There is an urgent need to generate more consistent and transparent estimates of the prevalence of problem drug use—especially people who inject drugs (PWID) and people with opioid dependence—to understand better and inform policy makers on the scale of drug-related harm, intervention coverage and priorities for treatment and prevention [1-4].

Introduction Drug-related deaths (DRD) have been increasing in Scotland in recent years (National Records of Scotland, 2019b). In 2018, 1,187 deaths were registered—the highest number ever recorded and a 107% increase on 2008. Although men account for the majority of DRD, the percentage of women has increased over time, from 19% in 2004–2008 to 29% in 2014–2018.