Statistics reveal a worrying rise in drug-related deaths
Charities say Scotland must work harder and faster to combat the epidemic of drug deaths as new figures show a 10% rise.
Data from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that 1,172 people died due to drug misuse in 2023 – 121 up from the year before.
This amounts to the second-lowest number of drug misuse deaths since 2017, with 2022 seeing the lowest number.
Scotland continues to have double the rate of drug deaths as the rest of the UK and more than other European countries.
Glasgow City and Dundee City continued to have the highest rates of drug misuse deaths while East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire had the lowest.
Louise Stewart, director of service delivery at WithYou, said: “Today’s report shows that we aren’t moving quickly enough to save lives.
“We need to interrogate why so many people in Scotland use drugs and alcohol harmfully - and why they have done so for generations.
“Armed with a better understanding of this public health crisis, we can develop a cross-cutting approach that doesn’t look at drug use in isolation - but invests in preventative community measures, appropriate housing, access to health and mental health services and our overall quality of life.”
Scotland’s health secretary described the statistics as “hugely concerning” and pledged to “intensify” the Scottish Government’s efforts to counter the rise.
Neil Gray said: “My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs.
“This level of deaths remains hugely concerning and underlines why we will continue to do all we can to reduce harm and deaths caused by drugs.
“We’re taking a wide range of actions through our £250m National Mission on drugs, including opening a Safer Drug Consumption Facility pilot, working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities and widening access to life-saving naloxone.
“We will also continue to improve access to residential rehab, where we’re on track to meet our target for additional placements and drive the rollout of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards to make treatment and support available more quickly.”
