Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire are worst in Scotland for drug deaths
Statistics published by the Scottish Government show there has been an overall drop in drug-related deaths
Lanarkshire recorded the second-highest suspected drug deaths in Scotland during the final quarter of last year.
From October to December 2022, there were 118 suspected drug-related deaths recorded across the region according to recent statistics published by The Scottish Government.
The report, which was released on March 14, outlines the number of suspected drug deaths recorded by Police Scotland; across the country, there were 1092 recorded in the last quarter of 2022.
Overall decrease
Greater Glasgow ranks first for the highest number of suspected drug deaths at 214, Lanarkshire came second and Edinburgh City came third with 113 cases.
There’s been an overall decrease in suspected drug deaths in Scotland since the same period in 2021, which was 1295.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie at Police Scotland said: “Drugs, and those involved in supplying them, blight our communities and Police Scotland is committed to disrupting this organised activity right across the country.
“We are committed to working in partnership with others, to prevent and reduce substance harm, as well as exploring solutions to help address the number of drug deaths in Scotland.
“Our use of naloxone also highlights the important contribution Police Scotland makes to helping to prevent the harm caused by drugs. This life-saving nasal spray has now been administered more than 140 times by officers. Our national roll-out programme is almost complete and will soon see 12,500 officers equipped with this treatment.”
'Heartbreaking'
Dr Susanna Galea-Singer, chair of the Addictions Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: “The latest suspected drug-related death statistics are heartbreaking as well as deeply worrying.
“While the announcement of the £68m cross-government action plan was most welcome, the Scottish Government must do better. They must make sure services, workforce and funding is sustained over time.
“Drug deaths are driven by poverty, past trauma, domestic abuse and generational substance misuse. These social factors will take years to address.
“We need better access to services, choice and support as well as joined up services across our local communities so there are treatment options in place – for those who so desperately need them.”