In 2020, National Records of Scotland figures show that there were 1,339 drug-related deaths in Scotland, an increase of 5% on 2019 and the highest figure on record. In Fife, there were 65 drug-related deaths, the majority of those involving an opiate or opioid (e.g. Dihydrocodeine, Fentanyl, Heroin, Morphine, Methadone, Tramadol).
Opioids slow down breathing and the heart rate. In high doses, opioids reduce the body’s natural urge to breathe. When someone's having an overdose, they can stop breathing and may die. Even if a person does not die from overdose, they can sustain brain damage.
If you cannot get a response from someone, do not assume they are asleep.
Unusual or deep snoring is a common sign of overdose.
Do not let people at risk ‘sleep it off’.
Dial 999 for help and follow the instructions given to you by the operator.
Stay with the person until an ambulance arrives.
Such deaths can be avoided with the use of Naloxone.
Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioid overdose.
For more information visit Stop The Deaths
Public Health Scotland and Simon Community Scotland have worked together to create an Emergency Overdose Response and Harm Reduction booklet and card.
The resources are for people who take drugs and their families and friends. It provides information on:
Contact We Are With You, our Specialist Harm Reduction Service on 0800 9179211 for information on injecting equipment, wound care, Naloxone etc. or any of our other services;
ADAPT 01592 321321
NHS Fife Addiction Services 01592 716446
Clued Up Project 01592 858248
DAPL 01333 422277
FIRST 01592 585960
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs 01592 382330
Or by visiting one of the following pharmacies:
| Town | Location | Phone number | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anstruther | T and K Brown 31-32 Shore Street | 01333 310322 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 6pm Sat - 9am to 1pm |
| Ballingry | Dears Pharmacy 12 Benarty Square | 01592 868806 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 6pm Sat - 9am to 1pm |
| Burntisland | Lloyds High Street | 01592 873725 | Mon to Fri - 8:30am to 5:30pm Sat - 9am to 5:30pm |
| Cowdenbeath | Boots the Chemist High Street | 01383 514261 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 5.30pm Sat - 9am to 5.30pm |
| Gordons Chemist 20 Broad Street | 01383 511515 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 5.30pm Sat - 9am to 12:30pm | |
| Cupar | Rowlands Pharmacy Bonnygate | 01334 654755 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 5.30pm Sat - 9am to 1pm |
| Dunfermline | Dears Pharmacy East Port | 01383 723571 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 6.00pm Sat - 9am to 5pm |
| Lindsay & Gilmour Alderston Drive | 01383 622920 | Mon to Fri - 8.45am to 6pm Sat - 8.45am to 5pm | |
| Well Pharmacy Elliot Street | 01383 732989 | Mon - 8.30am to 6pm | |
| Glenrothes | Boots the Chemist Lyon Square | 01592 758783 | Mon to Fri - 8.45am to 5:30pm Sat - 8:30am to 5:30pm Sun - 11:30am to 4:30pm |
| Dears Pharmacy Glamis Centre | 01592 772797 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 6pm Sat - 9am to 1pm | |
| Kelty | Dears Pharmacy Main Street | 01383 830212 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 6pm Sat - 9am to 1pm |
| Kennoway | Lloyds 19 Bishops Court | 01333 350327 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 6pm Sat - 9am to 1pm |
| Kirkcaldy | Boots the Chemist High Street | 01592 263781 | Mon to Sat - 8:30am to 5.30pm Sun - 11am to 4pm |
| Boots the Chemist Fife Retail Park | 01592 644139 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 8pm Sat - 9am to 6pm Sun - 10am to 5.30pm | |
| Lloyds Pharmacy Viceroy Street | 01592 260925 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 5.30pm Sat - 9am to 1pm | |
| St Clair Pharmacy 233 St Clair Street | 01592 652209 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 5.30pm Sat - 9am to 1pm | |
| Leven | Boots the Chemist High Street | 01333 423002 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 5.30pm Sat - 9am to 5:30pm |
| Omnicare 345 Methilhaven Road | 01333 423972 | Mon to Fri - 9am to 5:30pm Sat - 9am to 12:30pm | |
| Lochgelly | Well Pharmacy Bank Street | 01592 781073 | Mon to Fri - 8.45am to 5.45pm Sat - 9am to 12:30pm |
| Methil | Your Local Boots Pharmacy Ajax Way | 01333 423276 | Mon to Fri - 8.30am to 6pm Sat - 9am to 1pm |
| Oakley | Dears 14 Wardlaw Way | 01383 850349 | Mon to Fri - 8:30am to 6pm Sat - 9am to 1pm |
| St Andrews | Boots the Chemist Market Street | 01334 474306 | Mon to Fri - 8.30am to 5.30pm Sat - 8:30am to 5:30pm Sun - 11am to 5pm |
