Event photographs taken by Nathan Frank.
The BRP's Freedom of Information (FOI) team launched a nationwide enquiry into how the UK's local governments and the NHS are currently dealing with benzodiazepine use, as well as their wider drug support. This was done with the support and in collaboration with Sky News.
Their aim was to produce a mass database of information to help those searching for answers. To do this, they approached NHS Foundation and Integrated Care Trusts in England, Local Health Boards in Wales and Scotland, Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland, and Integrated Care Trusts, as well as local government within Wales and England through County and City & Borough councils.
Their aim was to produce a mass database of information to help those searching for answers. To do this, they approached NHS Foundation and Integrated Care Trusts in England, Local Health Boards in Wales and Scotland, Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland, and Integrated Care Trusts, as well as local government within Wales and England through County and City & Borough councils.
Contact sheets:
Spreadsheets containing the FOI emails of all organisations mentioned above, collated to streamline the process for future researchers.
Uploaded: 23 December 2022
Uploaded: 23 December 2022
| Councils contact sheet – .xlsx file |
| NHS trusts contact sheet – .xlsx file |
FOI Responses:
Spreadsheets containing the FOI responses from all organisations mentioned above. FOI questions asked to councils and NHS trusts can be found in the section below.
Uploaded: 24 January 2023
Uploaded: 24 January 2023
| Councils responses – .xlsx file |
| NHS trusts responses – .xlsx file |
FOI Questions
To NHS Trusts
Q.1. Number of self-referrals to GPs for benzodiazepine usage 2018-22, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
1.B. Per gender
1.C. Per ethnicity
Q.2. Number of hospitalisations of those aged 15-30 years old for issues related to benzodiazepine usage 2018-2022, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
2.B. Per gender
2.C. Per ethnicity
Q.3. Number of hospital admissions aged 15-30 years old with benzodiazepine related mental disorders/behavioural disorders 2018-2022, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
3.B. Per gender
3.C. Per ethnicity
Q.4. Number of people aged 15-30 years old visiting GP seeking withdrawal treatment for benzodiazepines 2018-2022, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
4.B. Per gender
4.C. Per ethnicity
Q.5. Number of people aged 15-30 years old referred to by a GP for mental health services for support relating to benzodiazepines use 2018-2022, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
5.B. Per gender
5.C. Per ethnicity
To county councils
Q.1. Number of people aged between 16-30 using local drug education and support services between 2018-2022, broken down by year
Q.2. Number of people aged between 16-30 waiting for access to local drug education and support services between 2018-2022, broken down by year
Q.3. A copy of your drug education and support resources, including council led schemes distributed to schools and colleges
Q.4. List of specific substances included in your drug education and support resources, including those distributed to schools and colleges
Q.5. List of council led schemes distributed in schools and colleges regarding drug use, education and support schemes
Q.6. Any internal or external evaluations of your mental health & drug use support schemes, resources
Q.7. Any internal or external evaluations of your mental health & drug support staff and training
Q.1. Number of self-referrals to GPs for benzodiazepine usage 2018-22, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
1.B. Per gender
1.C. Per ethnicity
Q.2. Number of hospitalisations of those aged 15-30 years old for issues related to benzodiazepine usage 2018-2022, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
2.B. Per gender
2.C. Per ethnicity
Q.3. Number of hospital admissions aged 15-30 years old with benzodiazepine related mental disorders/behavioural disorders 2018-2022, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
3.B. Per gender
3.C. Per ethnicity
Q.4. Number of people aged 15-30 years old visiting GP seeking withdrawal treatment for benzodiazepines 2018-2022, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
4.B. Per gender
4.C. Per ethnicity
Q.5. Number of people aged 15-30 years old referred to by a GP for mental health services for support relating to benzodiazepines use 2018-2022, broken down by year (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022):
5.B. Per gender
5.C. Per ethnicity
To county councils
Q.1. Number of people aged between 16-30 using local drug education and support services between 2018-2022, broken down by year
Q.2. Number of people aged between 16-30 waiting for access to local drug education and support services between 2018-2022, broken down by year
Q.3. A copy of your drug education and support resources, including council led schemes distributed to schools and colleges
Q.4. List of specific substances included in your drug education and support resources, including those distributed to schools and colleges
Q.5. List of council led schemes distributed in schools and colleges regarding drug use, education and support schemes
Q.6. Any internal or external evaluations of your mental health & drug use support schemes, resources
Q.7. Any internal or external evaluations of your mental health & drug support staff and training
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