Figures from the Perth and Kinross alcohol and drug partnership strategic delivery plan (2020-2023) estimated that there were 1500 problem drug users within the Perth and Kinross area. This translates to a prevalence rate of 1.6%. During this three year period, there were 454 people in receipt of opioid replacement services (methadone/buprenorphine) 

​

 Figures from the Scottish Ambulance Service in 2019-2020 showed that there were 201 non-fatal overdose incidents in Perth and Kinross. This can be set against the figures for 2018-2019 which sat at 145. IN 2019-2020 there were 315 discharges from hospital where the main reason for admission was recorded as being due to drugs. This was the highest number in 20 years.  In 2018 there were 30 drug deaths recorded, by the coroners court, in Perth (and Kinross).  The five year average for deaths from drug use was 10 adults per 100,00. This is significantly lower than the average for Scotland, at the time, at 16 adults per 100,000. 

​

 National Records for Scotland, 2022. There are 599 places you can buy alcohol in Perth and Kinross. In Perth and Kinross around 1 in 3 men (30%) and 1 in 7 women (15%) drink at levels harmful or hazardous to their health.

​

​

With regards to alcohol, it is estimated that alcohol related harm poses a financial cost to Perth and Kinross of around £42 million pounds a year. For the last set of figures published, in 2018, there were 1,336 alcohol related attendances in A+E  for Perth and Kinross. The coroner recorded 22 deaths as being attributed to alcohol. 571 adults were admitted to hospital (from A+E) in 2018.

​

 Statutory drug and alcohol services in Perth are provided by IDART: Integrated Drug Alcohol Recovery Team

​

You can contact the Perth and Kinross Access Team by telephone on 0845 30 111 20 or visit Access Team at Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth from Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

​

Private drug and alcohol treatment centres are available in Scotland. Where appropriate, and depending on availability, same day admission can be arranged. The further north you go in Scotland, the more difficult it becomes to secure private provision. Treatment costs in Scotland can be be more costly than England and there are not as many centres, as there are in England, pro rata to the size of the population and land mass. 

​

The large clinic chains and referral agents will try and convince you that they have centres all over the UK. The simple truth is that they don't. By using post-box addresses and serviced offices reception services they make it look as if they have a centre in every town and hamlet in the UK. Often referral agents will use images of centres, without permission, to try and lure you in. 

​

Paul has three decades of clinical experience in the field of addictions. For many years he has worked in and around private rehabs assessing and prescribing for patients as well as making hundreds of referrals. He knows the centres and their admissions teams and admissions criteria. 

​

Call and speak to Paul. His advice is totally confidential, impartial and free. He can advise of treatment options, locations of centres and availability. 

​