By Stefan Morkis

THE NUMBER of people admitted to hospital in Tayside after abusing drugs increased by more than 50% in just two years.

Provisional figures for 2006-07 show that 141 patients were discharged from hospitals in Tayside following a diagnosis of drug misuse.

Although 109 of these cases involved adults over the age of 21, 11 involved teenagers aged between 15 and 18. One case involved a youth under 15.

By comparison, there were only 92 patients discharged from hospital after a diagnosis of drug misuse in 2004-05—and none was under the age of 15. Sixteen cases involved patients between the ages of 15 and 18.

Despite the apparently alarming nature of the statistics, Dr Brian Kidd, chairman of the Dundee Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), said the rise in the number of patients being discharged after a diag-nosis of drug misuse probably demonstrated greater awareness of substance abuse amongst staff.

“There is more awareness and that is probably reflected in Tayside,” said Dr Kidd.

He added, “The substance misuse services in Tayside are a lot more proactive than they were.

“People are more informed about drug problems so that although patients might be admitted unconscious or presenting with other complaints, staff are probably more likely to see if it is drug misuse.”

Dr Kidd said that medical staff being more able to identify possible substance abusers could help patients get help for their addictions more quickly.

In Fife, there were 175 cases, including two patients under the age of 15, discharged with a diagnosis of drug misuse in 2006/07. This was a fall from the 198 cases in 2004/05.

The figures were released by justice secretary Kenny MacAskill.