SCDEA Interventions
SCDEA Interventions (formerly the Drug Strategy Unit) is a key participant in progressing the Scottish Police Service's contribution to the non-enforcement aspects of drug misuse in Scotland. The Group's co-ordinating and strategic role is widely acknowledged, with support provided to police forces and non-enforcement bodies in Scotland.
Interventions undertake a wide range of work assignments. The vast majority involve researching and co-ordinating a broad range of law enforcement information, and making this available to statutory and voluntary bodies involved in drug misuse work. This use of law enforcement information is being pioneered in Scotland. It is in keeping with the overall theme of the UK and Scottish Drug Strategy and welcomed by agencies involved in harm minimisation strategies.
Interventions maintain the Scottish Police Drugs Death Database and has published a ‘Drug Related Deaths in Scotland' report for both 2001 and 2002. The 2001 report was the first piece of detailed analytical work undertaken in respect of drug related death investigated by Scottish police forces. It was undertaken by the Drug Strategy Unit in collaboration with the University of Glasgow's Department of Forensic Medicine and Science and involved analysis of the confirmed cases of drug related deaths reported to Scottish police forces during 2001. The report examined drug related deaths reported in each of the Scottish police force areas in terms of demographics, medical history, circumstances prior to death and cause of death.
SCDEA Interventions has also continued with the publication and circulation of its quarterly Drug Trends Bulletin, which contains information supplied by Scottish Police Forces and other law enforcement partners on new and emerging drug misuse trends. The Bulletin has a wide readership, including the Scottish Executive Substance Misuse Division, Procurators Fiscal, the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, Greater Glasgow National Health Service Board and local councils. Feedback indicates that recipients value the Bulletin in keeping them informed of drug misuse trends and assisting in forward planning.
Interventions also share potential time critical drug-related information with Scottish police forces in line with their co-ordinating role. This includes: -
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Special Alert bulletins to alert Scottish Police Forces to issues arising in one force area which may be of significance to others and which should not be delayed until publication of a quarterly bulletin.
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Early Warning health information circulars to share time critical information on emerging drug trends that may have potential health implications.
