Drug deaths are worst ever
There was a 6% increase in deaths in 2019
Last updated 15th Dec 2020
Drug deaths in Scotland have reached an all time high with 1,264 people dying in 2019, representing a 6% increase.
Statistics from National Records of Scotland show the rate is three and a half times the UK figure and Heroin and morphine were implicated in more than half of deaths, which is also the highest on record.
Nearly 7 in 10 of the people who died were male and over two thirds were aged between 35 - 54.
Three quarters of the deaths occured in five health board areas:
- Greater Glasgow and Clyde 404
- Lanarkshire 163
- Lothian 155
- Tayside 118
- Ayrshire & Arran 108
Further north in the country, some figures have actually dropped.
In Grampian 82 drug deaths were recorded in 2019, that's a decrease of ten from the previous year, and it's the lowest figure in three years.
24 deaths were recorded in the Highlands, the area experienced an even bigger drop, after 45 in 2018.
Council by council figures
Deaths by sustance
What's the Scottish Government saying?
Opposition politicians and charities called for more action to stop the deaths, saying each could have been prevented.
Scotland's public health minister Joe FitzPatrick said: "Each and every one of these deaths is a tragedy and I would like to offer my condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.
"The Scottish Government is doing everything in its powers to tackle rising drug deaths and we are working urgently to put in place high-quality, person-centred services for those most at risk.''
He said steps taken by the Scottish Government and its partners include investing up to £93.5 million this year to tackle problem alcohol and drug misuse.
He added: "These deaths stem from a long-standing and complex set of challenges, and there is no shortcut that will suddenly solve this.
"There is, however, action that we are taking right now that will have an impact more immediately, such as maximising the availability of Naloxone and the routes by which it can be supplied.
"Our work to introduce Medication Assisted Treatment standards is one of the most significant changes to the way in which treatment services operate.
"Furthermore, we have seen the introduction of a range of new and innovative approaches, including Scotland's first heroin assisted treatment service in Glasgow.''
He said the Scottish Government will keep working with the drugs death taskforce and others to "identify and put in place measures to tackle this issue and save lives''.
Mr FitzPatrick said he will continue to urge the UK Government to change the law to legalise supervised drug consumption facilities or devolve the necessary powers to Scotland, something which it has repeatedly ruled out.
"A national tragedy and disgrace"
David Liddell, chief executive officer of the Scottish Drugs Forum, said: "None of us should regard these preventable deaths as acceptable or as anything other than a national tragedy and disgrace.
"The need for change is obvious and that change is long overdue.
"Broadly, the challenge in terms of treatment is to ensure that people with a drug problem are treated with dignity and respect.
"In addition, we need to increase the range of services across Scotland to include drug consumption rooms, heroin-assisted treatment and assertive outreach.
"We need to end the alienation, marginalisation and stigmatisation of people with a drug problem - the root cause of this issue, which reflects badly on a culture and mindset that we have allowed to develop unchallenged over many years.''
Opposition parties have echoed calls for the issue to be moved higher up the political agenda.
Are safe consumption rooms the answer?
Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: "We can't sweep this public health and human rights emergency under the carpet a moment longer.
"Safe consumption facilities and increased rapid access to residential rehabilitation are vital and could happen today.''
The Scottish Government has called on UK ministers to change legislation so that overdose prevention centres can be established as quickly as possible.
This could be done by "taking the necessary steps themselves'' or by devolving powers to Scotland, they said.
However, it has been argued the law is not so strict as to stop Scottish ministers doing more while the UK Government has previously resisted calls to change legislation as it argues it would not be beneficial.
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "Scottish Liberal Democrats have been arguing that the existing law is not as black and white as the Scottish and UK governments would both have us believe.
"Their policies have failed, but they can each act now.
"It is time Scotland learned from the lessons of other countries that have taken radical steps to reduce unnecessary and tragic drug-related deaths.''
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie added: "The Lord Advocate has the power to act now.
"He should use his public interest discretion to ensure that no health professionals would face prosecution for providing lifesaving health interventions.
"Establishing safe consumption facilities could play a significant role in reducing drug-related deaths and other serious harms.''
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Donald Cameron added: "These statistics are both dreadful and heartbreaking in equal measure.
"Every one of these deaths is a tragic loss of life that could have been avoided.''