The University’s Centre for Healthcare and Community Research’s work will be aimed at reducing deaths among users of the sedative Benzodiazepine who suffer from opioid dependency.
The first-of-its-kind study will assess whether a stable dosage of diazepam can reduce deaths and harmful drug use amongst users.
The study will begin in January across Scotland and England, lasting three years, with a focus on users with dependency on multiple substances.
Professor Catorina Matheson, former head of Scotland’s drugs death task force, will be leading the study. She said of it:
“There is a real need for clinically based research within this stigmatised and under-researched population.
“One of the aims of this research is to address that lack of evidence in such a key area of risk relating to drug-related deaths.
“By providing clear clinical and cost effectiveness data our trial will provide commissioners, who are responsible for understanding the local needs for drug treatment and recovery services, and policymakers with direction of what services should be commissioned and how.”
Scottish Government Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Maree Todd, said of the study, “We want to make sure everyone gets the treatment they need… It will help provide an evidence base as we continue to strive to save and improve lives.”
The trial will randomly assign participants either the current standard treatment, involving a steadily reducing dose of diazepam, or the new intervention strategy of a steady dose of diazepam alongside psychological and harm reduction support.
Participants will be assessed over 12 months on their drug use, service use and various health assessments.
Interviews will also be conducted with the participants.
This study comes as Scotland’s drug deaths remain amongst the highest in Europe, despite falling compared to previous years.
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