Suspected drug deaths up almost 20% in one year, figures show

The number of suspected drug deaths in Scotland has increased by almost 20% in a year, figures show.

Statistics released regularly by the Scottish Government show 291 deaths were recorded between July and September of this year, down slightly from 299 in the previous quarter but up from 244 the year before.

The data is gathered by Police Scotland and is based on officer reports from the scenes of deaths, but they are not backed up by toxicology.

The highest number of suspected deaths in the most recent quarter were recorded in the Greater Glasgow police division, with 62, followed by 35 in Lanarkshire.

The majority of suspected deaths were men – 215 – while 76 were women.

The figures come as new statistics show 94.7% of referrals to drug and alcohol treatment were seen within three weeks in the three weeks to September 30.

The Scottish Government aims for 90% of referrals to be seen within that time, a standard which has been hit in every quarter for the past four years.

Scottish Conservative drugs spokeswoman Annie Wells described the drug deaths figures as “harrowing”.

She added: “The number of Scots losing their lives to addiction remains tragically high, despite the nationalists trumpeting their policy of state-sponsored drug-taking.

“We warned the SNP that (drug consumption room) The Thistle was no silver bullet to tackle Scotland’s drug deaths crisis, but they continue to pin all their hopes on it being the solution.

“If they were serious about reducing drug deaths in Scotland, SNP and Green MSPs would have backed our game-changing Right to Recovery Bill last month, but they shamefully preferred to play politics with people’s lives.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the figures show the “continuing tragedy of Scotland’s drug deaths crisis”.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said the increase is “shocking” as she urged the Government to “step up”.

She added: “There can be absolutely no room for complacency in addressing Scotland’s drug deaths crisis, and SNP ministers must wake up to the dire situation we are facing as a country.

“We also must tackle those who peddle this poison on our streets by going after the criminal gangs who are bringing devastation to communities.

“The brutal reality is that John Swinney’s approach is failing both victims and communities, with a neglected court system that is incapable of sending drug dealers to prison.

“This is simply not sustainable. Dealers are slipping through the cracks, people are dying while waiting for help, and families are losing loved ones.”

Drugs minister Maree Todd said: “Every drug death is a tragedy, and my condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one. These latest suspected drug death statistics are a stark reminder of the challenge we continue to face.

“The latest annual NRS figures found drug deaths in Scotland were down 13% and at their lowest since 2017, but we want to do more to save and improve lives and will continue to work hard to improve services.

“We have provided record levels of funding for drugs and alcohol programmes, and are widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone.

“Residential rehabilitation bed capacity has increased by 35% since 2021 and we are on track to reach our target of 1,000 people a year being publicly funded to go to residential rehab.

“We opened the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility and are working at pace with local partners to get drug-checking services up and running as soon as possible.

“We are also working hard to respond to the threat from highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes. As repeat doses of life-saving naloxone may be needed, I urge people to carry extra kits with them.”