DRUG taking in the Borders is on the increase.

A newly published chart highlighting the prevalence of illegal drugs shows that an estimated 560 males and 160 women in the Borders were regular drug takers during 2012/13.

But the region is still way below almost every other part of Scotland when it comes to illegal substances.

The data equates to 1.59 per cent of males and 0.44 per cent of females with the national averages standing at 2.43 per cent and 0.96 per cent, respectively.

Over the past year or two improved services to help addicts get clean have been launched by the multi-agency Alcohol & Drugs Partnership.

And it is hoped the steady increase over the past decade will soon begin to turn.

Improved communication links between the service and drug users has been established, a review into how drugs and alcohol is funded has been completed, and a new model of care has been introduced to support people who are dependent on drugs.

An informal recovery network is also being developed to help addicts kick their habit.

A spokeswoman told us: “The Borders Alcohol and Drug Partnership is a partnership of agencies and services involved with drugs and alcohol.

“It provides strategic direction to reduce the impact of problematic alcohol and drug use for individuals and families in the Borders.” Alcohol and drugs services for the region are provided by NHS Borders Addiction Service, Addaction and Action For Children as well as several voluntary and charitable organisations.

Addaction Borders - which can be contacted on 0800 028 6664 - provides a service for anyone over the age of 16 who is concerned about their alcohol or drug use.

As well as one-to-one support they offer individualised recovery plans, employment, housing and welfare support, as well as group work.

Action for Children - 01896 750173 - provides a similar service for substance misusing parents as well as children with their own drugs or alcohol concerns.

And the Borders Addiction Service - 01896 664430 - provides help for people with complex health and social care needs, including those with physical and mental health concerns. There are also eight needle exchange centres spread across the Borders.

And the highly-successful Naloxone programme, which counters opiate overdoses, has been rolled out across the region.

But despite the initiatives and increased help, drug taking is still on the rise - and it is being felt in the wards of the BGH.

Over the past 18 years the number of hospital admissions in the Borders due to drugs misuse has escalated.

In 1996/97 there were only 17 stays at Borders General Hospital - during 2013/14 there were 75 emergency admissions.

Of last year’s 75 hospital stays, 41 were down to heroin, 12 cannabis related, seven caused by sedatives and six cocaine. The majority of the other admissions were caused by a cocktail of various drugs.

Dr Eric Baijal, NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council joint director for Public Health, told the Border Telegraph: “NHS Borders will continue to provide the best possible service to support the increased numbers of drug related admissions through our alcohol and drug services in the Borders.” For further information on services available for drug users and their families log onto www.badp.scot.nhs.uk