A REPORT has revealed that North Ayrshire is exceeding targets for supporting individuals with drug and alcohol issues.

The report, presented to North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet on October 1, provides an update on the performance of alcohol and drug support services in 2023-24.

The national target for alcohol brief interventions (ABIs) across North, South, and East Ayrshire in 2023-24 was 4,275, but 7,608 were delivered.

ABIs are short, structured conversations about alcohol consumption with a client that aim to motivate and support them to consider and/or plan a change in their drinking behaviour.

The report also includes information on the successful implementation of the Scottish Government’s Medication Assisted Treatment Standards.

The targets being exceeded include treatment waiting times, medication-assisted treatment waiting times, alcohol brief intervention delivery, substance use treatment, and naloxone delivery.

In 2023-24, 98 per cent of clients in North Ayrshire waited no longer than three weeks from referral to appropriate alcohol or drug treatment, against a national target of 90 per cent.

All clients started treatment within six weeks.

The Scottish Government also set a substance use treatment target to increase the number of individuals being supported with problematic substance use.

North Ayrshire was set a target to increase the numbers of individuals in treatment from 882 in April 2020 to 959 by March 2024.

An increase of 247 individuals was recorded, significantly exceeding the target of 77.

In terms of naloxone distribution, a local target of supplying 460 naloxone kits during 2023-24 was also exceeded, with 679 supplied across North Ayrshire.

Twenty-three lives were confirmed to have been saved across North Ayrshire through the use of naloxone during this period.

In 2021, the Scottish Government introduced 10 Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards for implementation.

Across North Ayrshire, the 2023-24 period saw sustained improvement and progress across all 10 standards.

Waiting times from referral to commencement of appropriate opiate substitution therapy medication improved, with 75 per cent of individuals offered a first MAT assessment on the same day as engagement with the service.

In addition, 100 per cent of individuals were supported to make an informed choice on MAT medication and the appropriate dose.

All clients received a mental health assessment and were offered testing for blood-borne viruses, harm reduction interventions, and a physical health assessment.

The report also highlights the provision of residential rehabilitation support.

In North Ayrshire, local hospital-based support is provided in Ward 5, Woodland View Hospital in Irvine to anyone who has an alcohol and/or drug problem and mental health issues.

In 2023-24, 94 North Ayrshire residents received detoxification support, with a further 45 receiving rehabilitation support.

Councillor Margaret Johnson, cabinet member for health and social care at North Ayrshire Council, said: "The latest figures saw a very slight decrease in the number of drug-related deaths in North Ayrshire, down from 37 in 2022 to 36 in 2023.

"While there has been a sustained decline in the number of alcohol-related deaths in North Ayrshire in recent years - from 50 in 2019 to 29 in 2022 - we have unfortunately seen a slight increase in 2023, with 30 deaths reported.

"These figures show that despite the fantastic work being done across our services in meeting these local and national targets, there is no room for complacency.

"The majority of people at risk of drug and alcohol related deaths are among the most marginalised and disadvantaged in our population, and each of these preventable deaths are a tragedy for the individuals involved, their family and friends, and our North Ayrshire communities.

"We will continue to work closely with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership and our local third sector drug and alcohol support services to ensure that improvements continue to be made and the harms caused by alcohol and drugs in North Ayrshire are reduced."