Scotland’s shame: ‘Shocking’ report shows drug deaths surge by 10% - SNP legacy causing ‘huge harm’

However, 2023 saw 121 more Scots lose their lives to illegal drug poisoning than the previous 12-month period.

Drug deaths are defined by drug poisoning being recorded as the cause of death when a controlled substance listed by the Misuse of Drugs Act is found in the body.

Scottish men are more than twice as likely to die from drug poisoning, while addicts living in deprived areas around Scotland - particularly in Glasgow and Dundee - are 15 times more likely to die when compared to those living in more affluent areas, such as East Renfrewshire and Aberdeen.

Opioids and opiates - such as heroin - remain the deadliest drug in Scotland, a factor in eight out of every ten drug deaths, overwhelmingly affecting the 35-54 age bracket.

Visiting the Skylark IX Recovery Trust in Dumbarton, Health Secretary Neil Gray says the Government is committed to taking radical action.

He said: “There is a nervousness to taking a public health approach, but we know from international evidence that it works.

“That’s why we’re so committed to taking that radical action that families are calling for us to do.”

He is referring to the UK’s first Safe Drug Consumption Facility (SDCF), due to open in Glasgow in September.

Staffed by NHS care workers, it aims to minimise risk and reduce harm for some of Glasgow’s 400-500 opioid addicts who presently self-inject in public spaces.

“We’re halfway through the national mission,” said the Health Secretary, who promised the £250million in additional support aims to be broad in scope.

SCOTLAND LATEST:

• Ed Miliband issued warning over 'absurd' net zero pricing amid fears British factories to close
• SNP civil war erupts after veteran loses whip over 'utterly abhorrent' Gaza 'genocide' comments
• Scottish Conservative deputy leader QUITS amid allegations of Tory leadership plot

“It’s not just on residential rehab,” he said, “it’s not just on community programs, it’s about ensuring that we have a health and justice system that is working together.”

Representing the Dumbarton constituency in the Scottish Parliament, Deputy Labour leader Jackie Baillie accused the SNP Government of “breaking its promises to families” destroyed by drug misuse.

She responded: “The SNP pledged to reduce drug deaths, but these distressing figures show just how far it has failed to live up to its promises.

“Each of these numbers represents a human tragedy and a family who are no doubt still grieving today.

“The SNP Government, which is still desperately trying to correct its own historic cuts to alcohol and drug services, must stop breaking its promises to families.”

Outgoing Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, called the report “shocking and shameful”.

He said: “Behind this heartbreaking increase in drug deaths are families grieving the loss of loved ones and my thoughts are with all of them.

“Scotland’s drug deaths rate is by far the worst in Europe and the SNP’s approach is simply not working.

“Several years ago Nicola Sturgeon admitted she took her eye off the ball on tackling this emergency but deaths have continued to increase since then.

“That legacy is still causing huge harm in our most deprived areas, where people living in those communities are 15 times more likely to die than those in the least deprived areas.”

Deaths remain lower than the mid-pandemic peak of 2020-2021 - when 1,339 deaths were recorded - but figures for 2023 remain 4.2 times higher than in 2000, adjusting for age.

After 17 years in power, the finger is firmly pointed at an SNP Government, so far unsuccessful in achieving the significant reduction necessary to begin the process of wiping away Scotland’s shame.