A POWERFUL tranquilliser has been linked to several drug-related deaths in East Lothian.

Prescription drug alprazolam, which is sold under the brand Xanax, was described as featuring in a number of fatalities recorded in the county during the first six months of last year.

Concern about the misuse of the pills led to health chiefs issuing information leaflets on it through Midlothian and East Lothian Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (MELDAP).

Drug-related deaths in East Lothian rose from 11 in 2016 to 12 last year.

Fiona Duncan, the county’s chief social work officer, said that as well as producing information on Xanax, her team also provided families of drug users with their own supply of a medication which could counteract an opiates overdose.

In a report to East Lothian Council, Ms Duncan said: “In response to findings, MELDAP developed and produced a leaflet in relation to the drug Xanax as this had featured in deaths during the first six months of the year.

“Further, a Naloxone programme was rolled out to family members of drug users, as well as staff who have contact with clients.

“This medication can be given to individuals who are having an opiate overdose, thus saving their life.”

Xanax is not an opiate, so Naxolone would not help counter its effects. It belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which act on the brain and nerves to produce a calming effect and can be addictive.

Dr Duncan McCormick, consultant in public health, NHS Lothian, said most drug-related deaths involved adults in their 30s and 40s, with many using multiple, different substances.

He said opiates remained the biggest drug connected to fatalities.

Dr McCormick said: “Every drug-related death is a tragic loss and the increase in the number of drug-related deaths is worrying.

“Those affected frequently use multiple different substances, but opiods such as heroin are the main drug implicated.

“A multiagency team examines all drug-related deaths and near misses, including emerging trends in the drugs implicated. Lessons learned inform the Lothian Drug Related Deaths (DRD) action plan, which ensures we continue to improve the services we provide.

“The risk of drug-related death can be minimised by enabling greater access to specialist treatment and long-term support.

“One of our key interventions is to ensure that those at risk of DRD, and those close to them, have access to Naloxone – a drug that can reverse the effects of an overdose from heroin and other opiates.”

Ms Duncan’s report revealed that social services were currently designing a recovery hub which will be based in Musselburgh and provide mental health and substance misuse services as a matter of priority.

Councillor Fiona O’Donnell, cabinet spokesperson for health and social care, said the hub would be looking into becoming a one-stop shop for a wider range of services long term.

She said: “The drugs landscape is constantly changing with new drugs coming onto the scene, and our education and prevention work also needs to be able to respond quickly.

“It is reassuring to see in the chief social work officer’s report that lessons have been learned. The Naxolone programme is quite literally a life-saver, and providing this to families and staff to administer in the event of an overdose will, I hope, see the number of drug-related deaths in East Lothian fall.

“We need to deal not only with the drug issue when developing services, but to look at all aspects of someone’s life if we want to keep them well and stable.

“The Recovery Hub could provide that opportunity, so that when you have contact with people using the service, you can take the opportunity to look at other aspects of their life, such as housing, benefits and general advice services.

“I want to extend my sincere sympathy to the loved ones who have lost someone to drugs. Every one of those deaths is a tragedy and we need to do more to address this issue in East Lothian.”

The meeting heard that Scottish Government funding of £20million to support drug and alcohol services has been allocated to local authorities, with East Lothian receiving “more than expected”.

Ms O’Donnell said: “We will ensure that money makes a real difference to the lives of people in our communities who have drug and alcohol-related problems, and to their families.”