Why are drug-related deaths among women increasing in Scotland? A mixed-methods analysis of possible explanations

Bibliographic Data

ID21605083
AuthorsEmily J Tweed (0000-0001-6659-812X, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, corresponding author), Rebekah Grace Miller (0000-0003-0886-8915, University of Edinburgh), Joe Schofield (0000-0002-1307-2375, Drugs Research Network for Scotland, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK), Lee Barnsdale (0009-0000-1962-951X, Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, UK), Catriona Matheson (0000-0002-7568-1125, University of Stirling)
Year2022
Volume29
Issue1
Pages62-75
Publication date2022-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDrugs Education Prevention and Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0968-7637 • E-ISSN: 1465-3370
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09687637.2020.1856786
PMID35095222
OpenAlexW3110898089
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited18

Drug-related deaths have increased significantly in Scotland in recent years, with a much greater percentage increase in deaths among women than among men. We undertook a mixed-methods project to identify explanations for this trend, comprising three parallel methodological strands: (i) an analysis of available routine data, including drug treatment data, death registrations, and surveys of people using needle exchanges; (ii) thematic analysis of interviews and focus groups with professional stakeholders and (iii) secondary analysis of interviews with women who use drugs. Results indicated that the observed trend is likely to reflect multiple, interacting causes. Potential contributors identified were: ageing; changing patterns of substance use; increasing prevalence of physical and mental health co-morbidities; changing relationships and parenting roles; changes to treatment services and wider health and social care provision; unintended consequences or poor implementation of recovery-oriented practice; and changes in the social security system. Policy responses to rising drug-related death rates require a gender-informed approach, recognising the commonalities and differences between men and women who use drugs; the diversity of experiences within each gender; and the intersections between gender and other forms of inequality, such as poverty

Political science · Poverty · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Unintended consequences · Demography · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects · Psychology · Gerontology