Drug-related deaths among recently released prisoners in the Strathclyde Region of Scotland
Seymour, A
Research Assistant and Senior Lecturer in forensic medicine (toxicology), respectively, Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgowm G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK.

Oliver, JS
Research Assistant and Senior Lecturer in forensic medicine (toxicology), respectively, Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgowm G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK.

Black, M



Abstract
Drug abuse and its consequences are everyday problems encountered globally, and Scotland is no exception. During a study of drug-related deaths in the Strathclyde region of Scotland it was noted that known drug users who had recently been released from prison were at high risk of dying from a drug overdose. The majority of deaths occurred within one week of the release date and polydrug use was prevalent. Morphine was the most frequently encountered drug and this was found in combination with benzodiazepines in a significant number of cases. This paper highlights the dangers of resuming drug consumption following a period of abstinence.

Keywords:
drug-related deaths, forensic science, recently released prisoners, Strathclyde, tolerance

Paper ID: JFS45322

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Author Seymour A, Oliver JS, Black M Title Drug-related deaths among recently released prisoners in the Strathclyde Region of Scotland Symposium , Committee on