DEALING with drugs deaths Down Under has led to a Galashiels addictions worker earning a prestigious award.

Kirsten Horsburgh, who is the national Naloxone coordinator at Scottish Drugs Forum, was presented with a Churchill medallion in London last week.

Kirsten was awarded a six-week Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship to research strategies adopted in Australia to reduce drug-related deaths. During the fact-finding trip she spent two weeks in the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in the Kings Cross area of Sydney.

And she was able to inform key stakeholders and decision-makers in Scotland of her findings.

On her return to Scotland, Kirsten released a report entitled ‘Reducing drug-related deaths among people who use inject drugs’ which has been well received in the drugs field.

Kirsten told the Border Telegraph: “The Travelling Fellowships provide opportunities for UK citizens to go abroad on a worthwhile project of their own choosing, with the aim of enriching their lives through their global experiences – and to bring back the benefit to others in their UK profession or community through sharing the results of their new knowledge.

"This has been a once in a lifetime experience which has exceeded all of my expectations. The fellowship has introduced me to new networks and opportunities, whilst creating some lifelong friends along the way.

"I am extremely grateful and would encourage anyone who is passionate about a subject close to their heart to apply.”

Drug-related deaths in the UK are at an all time high.

In Scotland, these deaths are among the highest in Europe, per head of population.

A total of 613 people lost their lives to accidental and preventable overdoses in 2014 with all evidence pointing to 2015’s figures being high again.

At last week's ceremony Kirsten was presented with the blue cloisonné enamelled silver Churchill medallion by its designer, Professor Brian Clarke, who is a world renowned architectural artist and himself a 1974 Churchill Fellow.

A total of 129 Fellows received their medallions at the ceremony in Church House.

Professor Clarke praised all the Fellows for their outstanding achievements. He said: “I know from personal experience that the Fellowship represents a wonderful opportunity.

"I am continually amazed and inspired by the Churchill Fellows dedication and commitment to making a difference in so many areas affecting today’s society.”