Scottish drug deaths surge despite SNP’s ‘national mission’ to tackle problem
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Drug deaths in Scotland have surged again despite the SNP making tackling the scandal a “national mission”.
Figures released on Tuesday show that 1,197 people died as a result of suspected drug use last year – up by 105 from 2022.
The drugs death rate in Scotland is already by far the highest in Europe and Nicola Sturgeon admitted that her government took its “eye off the ball” over the issue.
She launched a “national mission” to address the crisis in 2021 and her successor, Humza Yousaf, vowed to reduce the number of fatalities after he entered Bute House.
However, little progress was made, with deaths dropping only slightly, and the new figure, produced by Police Scotland, suggests that the problem is now getting worse once again.
Speaking after making a speech in London, Mr Yousaf conceded that the latest numbers were “deeply distressing”.
Sue Webber, a Tory MSP, again urged SNP ministers to support her party’s legislation, which would give addicts a legal right to treatment, describing the statistics as “utterly appalling and heartbreaking”.
“SNP ministers look to have taken their eye off the ball again with devastating consequences,” she added.
‘A source of shame’
“It should be a source of shame for them that despite Scotland already having by far the worst drug fatality rate in Europe, the number of deaths is on the rise again.
“It is time [Mr Yousaf] urgently backed those proposals so we can enshrine in law a right to treatment for all those who need it to finally get a grip on Scotland’s drug deaths crisis.”
Greater Glasgow recorded the highest number of drug deaths with 303, more than double the 147 seen in Lanarkshire – the second highest.
Men continue to account for the highest proportion of deaths, at 73 per cent. The 35 to 54 age group continued to have the highest proportion of suspected drug deaths, accounting for two thirds of the total, while under-25s made up five per cent of the total.
Mr Yousaf said he was planning to provide additional residential rehabilitation services to help people get off drugs.
“I want to acknowledge that these figures are deeply distressing, concerning, worrying,” he said.
“But I give an absolute assurance to everybody that has an interest in this issue that we will not waver from our commitment to tackle drugs deaths in Scotland which are far too high.”
