Suspected drug deaths fell 11% last year, figures show

Suspected drug deaths in Scotland fell by 11% during 2024, according to the latest Police Scotland data.

The force’s management information recorded 1,065 suspected drug deaths throughout the year – 132 fewer than in 2023.

Males accounted for 74% of the deaths, which was broadly in line with previous years.

There were 34 suspected drug deaths in the under 25 age group, which was 37% fewer than the previous year.

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Suspected drug deaths are down on the previous year and are the lowest since 2019, but are still probably at the highest level in Western Europe and more than double the UK average rate.

It’s still a big problem.

People talk about a drugs death emergency in Scotland – the Scottish Government is talking about being on a drugs mission to try and get these numbers down.

With what the Government has done so far this year, with the opening of the Thistle Centre — the safe consumption room in Glasgow — and trying to create more rehab facilities, the situation may be showing some improvement.

But it’s nowhere near fast enough, and the Scottish Government would admit that itself.

That comes as no comfort whatsoever to the 1,065 families who have lost loved ones or their friends who have lost someone close to them.

Health secretary Neil Gray welcomed the reduction but said more must be done to bring suspected drug deaths down further.

He said: “My condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one.

“Every death is one too many and despite the welcome reduction in these figures on suspected deaths, they remain far too high.

“We want every person experiencing harm from drug use to be able access the support they need and through our national mission on drugs, we are taking a wide range of evidence-based measures to reduce harm and save lives.

“These include opening the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility pilot, working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities, and widening access to residential rehab and life-saving naloxone.

“Funding for more than 300 grassroots projects has also supported more than 33,000 people.”

He said record funding for alcohol and drug programmes had been protected in the Budget and now stands at more than £160m.

Conservative drug spokeswoman Annie Wells said: “These horrendous, heart-breaking figures confirm that Scotland remains in the grip of a drugs death emergency on the SNP’s watch.

“Nicola Sturgeon admitted taking her eye off the ball and, as a result, Scotland has by far the worst rate of drug fatalities, not just in the UK, but across Europe.

“Every drug death is a tragedy for that person’s loved ones – and families across Scotland continue to be let down by complacent nationalist ministers.

“The SNP shamefully cut rehab places and are now pinning all their hopes on drug consumption rooms as the solution to the crisis.”