UK summit on tackling drug related deaths to be held in Glasgow next month
The number of people dying as a result of taking drugs reached a record high in Scotland in 2018
A UK-wide summit on how to tackle the rising number of drug deaths is to be held in Glasgow in February.
Drug recovery experts, health professionals, senior police officers and Government ministers from all four UK nations will be in attendance at the event on February 27.
There had been cross-party calls for a summit to address the issue of drugs misuse, with the number of drugs deaths in Scotland rising to 1,187 in 2018 - the highest since records began in 1996.
UK Minister for Crime, Policing and the Fire Service Kit Malthouse, who will chair the event, welcomed the opportunity to hear from experts and other key individuals.
“People are dying from drugs every day across the UK and this summit will bring us together to tackle the issue of drug misuse,” he said.
“We must have firm enforcement action and do all we can on prevention, recovery and treatment, too.
“I look forward to meeting key individuals from across the UK and listening to their views on addressing this challenge.”
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “The high numbers of lives lost to drugs in Scotland is a tragedy, a huge cause for concern.
“I am pleased that the UK Government is to bring experts together from all parts of the country, to share experience about tackling this terrible scourge.”
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