22nd November 2007

This revised one-day course is aimed at both specialist workers who deal with drug and alcohol misusers on a regular basis as well as those workers who, whilst not having drug and alcohol misusers as their core clients do meet problems of substance misuse on a regular basis.  This course aims to present an overview of drug related deaths in Scotland and relates directly to The Scottish Executive Response to the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse Drug-related Deaths Working Group, Report and Recommendations-Taking Action to Reduce Scotland's Drug-Related Deaths.  It provides an opportunity to increase knowledge and awareness of the risk factors for fatal and non-fatal overdose and considers strategies and responses for the prevention of drug related deaths.

The course uses experiential learning methods whilst acknowledging the principles of adult and lifelong learning, providing participants the opportunity to discuss, and where appropriate, practice skill based interventions.

Learning Objectives –

·         Identify the common myths associated with overdose and be able to discuss these with individuals with whom they work

·         Define drug-related death and compare prevalence and trends in Scotland with the UK

·         Identify drugs most commonly associated with overdose, describe signs of overdose and list risk factors associated with drug-related overdose

·         Identify and assess risk factors associated with drug overdose in order to facilitate the screening of risk and the development of prevention strategies

·         Identify risk factors for suicide and guidelines for responding to the risk

·         Explain harm reduction information, which can be used with individuals who are at high risk for accidental overdose

·         Employ the steps for responding to an overdose situation

·         Discuss policies, which impact upon overdose risk factors and prevention of drug-related death