Councillors urge Glasgow's drug deaths to be treated as public health emergency

There's calls for the city council to take Glasgow's drug deaths "as seriously as other health problems" - and declare a public health emergency.

Labour councillor Aileen McKenzie has tabled a motion to address the drug crisis in the country, which has risen by 45% in the last year.

Councillor McKenzie said: "I think it's an absolutely devastating figure that drug deaths in this city have increased by 45% - especially when we're looking at a £47 million cut in real terms from the Scottish Government to drug and alcohol partnerships since 2014.

"I think ultimately we need to treat addiction as we would any other health issue and I think we need to look at the root causes of addiction itself.

"Whilst addiction doesn't discriminate, there is a much higher prevalence of addiction among working class communities who are faced with poverty and inequality from birth."

It comes weeks after the Scottish Government announced it will invest a further £20 million to tackle drug use.

A Taskforce has been set up with 23 members to examine the main causes of drug deaths, promote action to improve health outcomes for people who use drugs, and advise what changes could be made to help save lives.

Scotland has the highest number of drug deaths in Europe, with 394 drug related deaths in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area in 2018.

The closest figure to this was Lothian, who has 152 drug deaths last year.

Councillor McKenzie's tabled a motion for debate at full council on Thursday.

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