Written question asked by Baroness Adams of Craigielea (Labour) on Thursday, 30 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 October 1998. It was answered by Henry McLeish (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 October 1998 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many deaths in Strathclyde resulted from the use of heroin in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998 to date. Inc figs.

Answer: Mrs. Irene Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths in Strathclyde resulted from the use of heroin in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998 to date. [55161] Mr. McLeish: In both 1996 and 1997 there were 26 deaths in Strathclyde involving heroin. Information for 1998 is not yet available. The figures cover all deaths in the categories listed where heroin was recorded as being present at the time of death, either alone or in combination with one or more other drugs. Underlying cause of death categories included (codes refer to the International Classification of Diseases etc., ninth revision (ICD 9)): drug dependence (304), nondependent abuse of drugs (305), accidental poisoning (E850--E858), suicidal poisoning (E950--E952) and poisoning undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted (E980--E982).

Secondary information