ASSIST: A Surveillance Study of Illicit Substance Toxicity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ASSIST: A Surveillance Study of Illicit Substance Toxicity – Clinical characterisation and toxicological analysis of Emergency Department presentations in Glasgow
IRAS ID
313616
Contact name
David J Lowe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Drug overdose is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the world. The UK accounted for 34% of all EU drug related deaths in the UK and Scotland’s rate is 3.6 times higher than that of the UK as a whole. A report on drug deaths in Scotland shows a continued rise and during the year 2020 there were 1339, nearly 5 times that of the year 2000.
There are currently no accurate comprehensive methods of monitoring drug related Emergency Department (ED) attendances is Scotland. This study will allow identification of emerging drug trends and data will be shared contemporaneously with Public Health Scotland and inform the Scottish Government of current incidences. It will improve focus on tackling the drug-deaths crisis in Scotland by tracking local trends and improving knowledge of clinical characteristics of drugs at a national level.
The aim of this study is to establish the introduction of a robust toxicology surveillance system in the ED. The study will explore the feasibility of reporting characteristics and causative agents of patients attending hospital as an emergency due to illicit substance use.
Every patient that attends the ED due to the toxic effects of drugs which are not prescribed to them and would be considered controlled will be included in this study. Anonymous toxicological analysis of blood which is surplus to requirement will be performed in those who require admission to hospital.
The study will be carried out at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital ED in Glasgow for one year.
Participants will have no interaction with the research team. The data collected will be only that of the usual care they would get in the ED. As such the data is anonymised and consent for participation is not required.REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
22/WS/0047
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion