Theme: Models of Care Year: 2022
Background:
Cocaine was implicated in more than a third of drug related deaths in Scotland in 2020 and both
individuals and services are reporting increasing poly-drug use involving cocaine. In Glasgow in
September 2021, 85 (37%) of all new referrals for drug treatment reported problematic cocaine use
and a city-centre harm reduction intervention (HRI) audit demonstrated that the number of people
injecting cocaine 173 (75%) has now overtaken those injecting heroin 149 (65%). Cocaine use is a risk
factor for Hepatitis C transmission and has been identified as one of the drivers of the HIV outbreak
in Glasgow.
An effective substitution treatment has not yet been identified and HRI and psycho-social
interventions (PSI) remain the cornerstone of treatment. Staff engagement established a need to
strengthen knowledge of cocaine related harms and develop a structure for intervention delivery
however such a resource is not currently available in Scotland.
Description of model of care/intervention:
A small group of experts from a range of disciplines contributed sections of information to a draft
toolkit document covering all aspects of cocaine treatment including street drug terms and costs,
blood-borne virus (BBV) transmission risks, crisis interventions, HRI and PSI. People with lived and
living experience contributed to draft development through facilitated group discussions. The final
draft is being approved through local governance structures with implementation planned in April.
Effectiveness:
Once implemented, delivery of HRI and PSI will be audited. BBV testing will be measured and
compared with rates prior to implementation. Data will be analysed and presented at the
conference.
Conclusion and next steps:
The implementation experience will be described and the document will be available for conference
attendees to use in their own practice.
Disclosure of Interest Statement:
None