Over 700 people suffered a drugs related death in Scotland last year – more than double the figure from a decade ago
Drug use lead to the death of a record number of Scots last year, new statistics show.
A total of 706 people died as a result of drug taking in 2015, up 15% from 2014 and more than double the figure from a decade ago in 2005.
The figures, released by the National Records of Scotland, have been slammed by charities who blame a mixture of funding cuts and poor attitudes towards drug users for the increase.
Addaction Scotland described the overall upward trend as deeply concerning and blasted a lack of investment in drug and alcohol services like itself.
Funded largely through local government contracts a spokesperson for the service said it has had to make efficiency savings of around 20% despite the growing problem.
She said: “The situation of increasing drug related deaths is not helped by the uncertainty of current and future funding of services. Across Addaction we are concerned when essential services like ours are often being asked to make efficiency savings of around 20%.”
Men accounted for 69% of the drug-related deaths though the number of women dying rose 153% compared to just 56% for men.
Just over a third of people who died were aged between 35 and 44 with the number of young Scots under the age of 24 dying actually falling from 47 in 2014 to 30 in 2015, which is the lowest level in a decade.
The situation of increasing drug related deaths is not helped by the uncertainty of current and future funding of services
David Liddell, chief executive of the Scottish Drugs Forum said the deaths were individual tragedies but were also indicators of Scotland’s health inequalities.
Deaths were concentrated in poorer areas, he said, with statistics showing almost one third of all deaths occurred in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
“If you look behind the lives of most people who have died you will find a life of disadvantage often starting with a troubled early life,” he added,
“Rather than focusing on individuals and blaming their lifestyle we need to understand how we as a society have failed and continue to fail so many people.
“These deaths are not in themselves inevitable; they are preventable. We know enough about how to protect people and the times at which people are at particular risk but our systems and services are failing to prevent these".
Heroin and morphine were by far the biggest cause of death.
Both the Scottish Drugs Forum and Addaction support a proposal by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to pilot a heroin assisted treatment service in Glasgow.
Liddell said of the estimated 61,500 people in Scotland with a drug problem, less than half are in treatment and care services at any point in time.
He continued: “The evidence is clear. A number of countries have reduced overdose deaths to very small numbers. They have done this through providing effective treatment and care services based on a clear evidence-based vision of what can be achieved and how.”
“We know that being in effective treatment protects people against dying of an overdose so we need to look at ways to increase the reach and retention rates of services.”
Minister for public health, Aileen Campbell said the Scottish Government remained committed to tackling the problem and said it was particularly focussed on looking at ways to help older drug users.
"This is a legacy of Scotland's drug misuse which stretches back decades," she said.
"To address this we have funded research to investigate the issues associated with older drug users through the Scottish Drugs Forum.
"We have also achieved significant reductions in treatment times for those needing treatment for their drug problem.
"We remain committed to tackling the scourge of illegal drugs and the damage they do to our communities, and to support those who are struggling with addiction."
