Drug-related deaths may have dropped but much more preventative action is needed, says Louise Stewart
This week’s report from the National Records of Scotland suggests that we are beginning to see shoots of hope as we strive to reduce drug-related deaths and save lives.
A total of 1,017 drug-related deaths were registered in 2024. This is a decrease of 13% compared with 2023, and the lowest number since 2017.
Our harm reduction and treatment approaches are beginning to have impact.
I believe this much-needed reduction can be attributed to the range of harm prevention and treatment approaches that are available in communities across Scotland. Yet we must be forward-thinking and fast-moving in order to keep pace with rapidly changing drug trends.
I want to see more action taken now to protect people from the growing threat of nitazines - dangerous synthetic substances that are being used to ‘bulk up’ drugs including heroin, ketamine and THC vapes. This should include the introduction of drug checking services, increased access to same day opioid substitution therapy (such as methadone), and the expansion of existing naloxone programmes.
Similarly, we must be alert to the drastic increase of cocaine in drug-related deaths - from 6% in 2008 to 47% in 2024.
At WithYou, we would like to help our clients move away from injecting crack cocaine and towards inhalation as part of their journey. This is because inhalation is generally safer than injection. However, the Misuse of Drugs Act prohibits the distribution of safer inhalation kits comprising single-use, sterile, heat-resistant glass pipes.
In England, we have been able to obtain a ‘letter of comfort’ from local police commissioners and we are providing safer inhalation kits in five WithYou services.
But in Scotland, a ‘letter of comfort’ has not been provided by the Lord Advocate. This means that, as cocaine use continues to rise, people are forced to use dangerous, improvised equipment. This not only causes serious and preventable injuries, it also represents a major missed opportunity to connect with a group who may not otherwise engage with support.
Support is a human right
It is not enough to have harm reduction and treatment approaches in place - we need to ensure people can access them.
Earlier this year, the National Collaborative Change Team published its Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use. Recognised as the first of its kind in the world by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the charter has been created to help people know their rights and the support they can expect to receive, and to ensure that those who use drugs and alcohol are treated with dignity.
It has the potential to be an incredibly important tool for people across Scotland in advocating for themselves, and I would like to see more done to embed it in practice across Scotland.
Looking to the future
While we are making progress, Scotland still has the highest level of drug-related deaths in Europe and the loss of 1,017 lives in 2024 shows that much more must be done.
To truly halt our drugs crisis in its tracks, I believe we must put much greater focus on prevention. The Scottish Government needs to take ambitious and far-reaching action now to stop today’s children and young people from becoming tragic statistics in reports 10, 20 or 30 years from now.
For me, that means taking a whole-population approach to tackling the deep-rooted health inequalities that drive harmful drug use. Only by improving the quality of life in our most deprived communities can we protect future generations and create lasting change.
Today, my thoughts are with all those who have lost a loved one. And my advice for anyone who is worried about their drug use, or that of someone close to them, is quite simply to get in touch with WithYou.
As well as our community-based services, we also offer a free, confidential Webchat. This can be a great first step in seeking support. Visit our website at wearewithyou.org.uk for expert advice.
Louise Stewart is director for Scotland at WithYou,
