Improving timely drug harm intelligence in Scotland: How Databelt is strengthening RADAR reporting

In this blog Sarra Naylor, Information Manager & National Drug-related Death Data Coordinator at Public Health Scotland (PHS), outlines how a new data-processing system, Databelt, is transforming the way suspected drug-related deaths (sDRDs) are identified, shared and used to support national and local responses. It explains why this development matters, how the system works, and what it means for improving prevention, service coordination and support for those affected by drug harms.

Why improving data flow matters

Drug-related deaths (DRDs) are tragic, preventable, and have far-reaching impacts on families, friends and communities. National Records of Scotland data show that the national rate remains significantly higher than the rest of the UK and has been the highest in Europe since 2018, although there has been a recent decline between 2023 and 2024.

Through the Scottish Government’s National Mission on Drugs, numerous programmes aim to prevent drug-related harm. A core requirement for success is a whole-system approach, where timely information sharing is essential for both prevention and early response.

Identifying a gap in local information sharing

Working with partners across Scotland, we identified inconsistencies in how suspected drug deaths were being shared from Police Scotland to NHS Board DRD Coordinators. The previous process required Police Scotland staff’s manual review of sudden death reports across 13 police divisions and only allowed limited aggregate information to be shared monthly.

This delay had real consequences. Timely alerts help local Coordinators quickly notify relevant services, enabling them to:

· support others who may be at risk

· avoid retraumatising bereaved families through inappropriate or repeated contacts

· provide immediate support, including bereavement assistance, when families may not seek help themselves due to stigma or other significant barriers, as highlighted in the Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs 2024 publication The Pain of our Loss.

How Databelt improves the process

In 2023, PHS, Police Scotland and technology partner AiM began work to streamline and strengthen this reporting process. Drawing on learning from an existing joint project, AiM developed Databelt, a bespoke software tool that:

· reviews sudden death reports

· automatically identifies relevant suspected drug death information

· securely sends information about the deceased to PHS to share with local coordinators daily.

The system was run in parallel with existing processes for 12 weeks. The comparison showed that Databelt:

· improved accuracy

· eliminated human error

· increased available police officer time for prevention and frontline duties.

This initiative is a good example of how PHS is working with partners to reduce harm from drugs, one of the visions set out in our new 10-year strategy, published earlier this week.

What this means for RADAR

PHS’s Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) system has provided quarterly reporting on suspected drug deaths since 2022. Databelt now enhances this by providing more consistent and timely data.

From this month, Databelt data is now being fully integrated into RADAR reporting. PHS validated the use of information from this source by comparing the new information against existing figures from June 2025 (pilot phase). This validation exercise will be extended to look at a full calendar year, therefore improving data consistency.

Importantly, Databelt also enables PHS to publish more detailed demographic insights - including age and sex - previously only available through a separate less timely Scottish Government release. This will streamline and provide greater clarity on drug related deaths statistical reporting and improve alignment across organisations.

Looking ahead

PHS and Police Scotland remain committed to ongoing collaboration and continuous improvement of data quality. While Databelt is a technical solution, it supports a deeply human goal: reducing drug harms and preventing further loss of life. Behind every data point is a person, a family and a community affected - and better intelligence helps us act sooner, more effectively and with greater compassion.

Read more information on RADAR and the latest RADAR Quarterly Report

Read more about Improving Scotland’s Health and our areas of work on Drugs

Learn more about our 10-year strategy “Together we can"