The latest annual drug-related death statistics were published in Scotland on the 22nd of August. 1,051 deaths are registered, meaning 1,051 families are grieving. Until we reach our target of zero drug deaths, we will continue to campaign alongside families who have lost loved ones and those who are fighting every day to keep their loved ones alive.
We know that families have the answers to Scotland’s drug deaths crisis – but they need to be heard, and for change to happen as a result. We need to Just Ask Families.
Every day, families are struggling to access the treatment, care and support their loved ones desperately need; they are blamed, and judged by others; and their own rights as family members and carers are not recognised. Their complaints about access, choice and quality of treatment services are ignored, and they are actively excluded from their loved one’s care planning and from services’ decisions which affect the whole family. Bereaved families are not invited to take part in formal service reviews which follow every drug death, so their valuable insight and lessons which could be learned are lost.
We asked family members to share their thoughts on what is going on in their lives, and the changes they want to see. All of these families have been harmed by Scotland’s drug deaths crisis. They have shared heartbreaking notes about their own grief and loss; practical and straightforward recommendations for treatment services which will save lives; the importance of hope for whole families; the impact of stigma; and their frustration about the slow pace of change.
We received so many notes from family members, so to make sure these could be seen and heard, we have put together this artwork that will be on display in our Glasgow office. A reminder of what families feel, and why it is so needed to Just Ask Families.
Families affected by a loved one’s drug use understand more than anyone else what needs to change to tackle Scotland’s ongoing drug deaths crisis. Whether they have lost a loved one, or are battling every day to keep their loved one alive in the most trying of circumstances, families need to be part of the solution.
Every year on this day, there is quite rightly an outpouring of sympathy and condolence for the families left behind. But the same families are not asked to take part in formal drug death reviews to share their insight into what has gone wrong and what needs to change. Families’ complaints about treatment services are ignored, and when they advocate for their loved ones, they are seen as awkward and interfering. Families want their rights as carers to be upheld; their expertise to be recognised; and for real change to happen.
We need to recognise that families have the answers to Scotland’s drug deaths crisis, to hear what they are saying, and to see real change as a result.
‘They die in your heart so many times.’
‘It is about always feeling the void – that gap in your life.’
‘You grieve for the adult that your child could have been.’
‘You have hope, but you keep it in your pocket and only take it out sometimes to look at it and remind yourself.’
‘Recovery and substance use support services need to be revised – if the person is stable and getting a prescription, they see their worker less often. If you use, they see you every week to get a swab off you. This seems the wrong way round.’
‘It starts with education. Our culture is all about drinking only to get drunk. Foreign visitors recently commented “is this behaviour normal?” after witnessing scenes at the weekend.’
‘The media need to change on how they report on drug issues; it is always pictures of needs and dirty alleyways. Why do they portray drug use as being about social class when in reality it can affect anyone of any class or background?’
‘We need to reduce the stigma faced by families as well as the stigma experienced by drug users.’
‘Engaging with social services (e.g., about children’s welfare) was very difficult – they were so judgemental.’
‘The media need to develop a narrative beyond the family’s role being solely about supporting the individual through recovery – it is also about the family’s journey and what they experience. We need to promote that there is help and support available for families.’
‘Recovery support services do not willingly provide information to family members, and they need to engage more with families e.g., when a loved one goes into residential rehab.’
‘Recovery support needs to be more holistic and focus upon practical skills (cooking, cleaning, shopping). Where is the throughcare support once someone is back in their community? Only offering 9-5 support and expecting people to turn up sober: it’s not designed for the service user.’
‘It seems that there are lots of different (support) agencies and organisations all in competition for funding and not working together or sharing information.’
‘Families are a key part of the solution and they should be involved in conversations with support/recovery organisations.’
‘Stigma for families at bedsides, pressure on the NHS.’
‘Death is the main statistic, what about number of families affected? Number of admissions to hospital every week because of ODs or alcohol poisoning? Or drug/alcohol injuries or accidents?’
‘Sadness and heartbreak experienced every day. Toll on family member’s mental/physical health and cost for NHS.’
‘I can feel overwhelmed when I see statistics, it can make me feel hopeless. They are of course impersonal and each addict and family have individual circumstances.’
‘Friendly and supportive.’
‘Acceptance.’
‘No longer feel alone and isolated.’
‘Enabled me to express my emotions safely.’
‘Hope after feeling hopeless.’
‘Knowing you’re not on your own.’