Key Points
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Scottish health secretary said the rise was ‘hugely concerning’ - New figures showed drugs claimed the lives of 1,172 Scots in 2023 – up 121 from last year’s total
- Opioid drugs – such as heroin and methadone – were implicated in 80% of all drugs deaths last year
- Scotland continues to have double the rate of drug deaths as the rest of the UK and more than other European countries
Drug deaths in Scotland have surged by 12% in a single year, the latest statistics have revealed.
Figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that 1,172 people died due to drug misuse in 2023 – 121 up from the year before.
This amounts to the second-lowest number of drug misuse deaths since 2017, with 2022 seeing the lowest number.
Scotland continues to have double the rate of drug deaths as the rest of the UK and more than other European countries.
NRS said after adjusting for age, the rate of drug misuse deaths was 4.2 times higher in 2023 than in 2000.
2020 remains the worst year on record when 1,339 people in Scotland died from drugs.
Tuesday’s statistics show the average age of drug misuse deaths has increased from 32 to 45 since 2000.
Opiates and opioids, including heroin, morphine and methadone were implicated in eight out of ten deaths.
Almost 90% of drug misuse deaths were classified as accidental poisonings, with 7% classed as intentional self-poisonings.
People in the most deprived areas of Scotland were more than 15 times as likely to die from drug misuse compared to people in the least deprived areas.
Glasgow City and Dundee City continued to have the highest rates of drug misuse deaths while East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire had the lowest.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats said the Scottish Government has taken its “eye off the ball” on drug deaths.
Party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “This is a painful day for many people across the country. Every death represents a life cut short and a family torn apart by grief.
“Nine years ago, with rates rising and records already mounting, Nicola Sturgeon slashed funding for drug and alcohol services.
“Now Scotland has by far the worst drug death crisis in Europe and it’s getting worse. Today’s devastating news should compel the SNP Government to reverse the indefensible real-terms cut that it inflicted in this year’s budget.
“Everything possible must be done to stop people dying which is why we need the drugs budget protected to strengthen frontline services, new drug checking facilities and a proper nationwide network of safer consumption rooms.”
Scotland’s health secretary described the statistics as “hugely concerning” and pledged to “intensify” the Scottish Government’s efforts to counter the rise.
Neil Gray said: “My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs.
“This level of deaths remains hugely concerning and underlines why we will continue to do all we can to reduce harm and deaths caused by drugs.
“We’re taking a wide range of actions through our £250m National Mission on drugs, including opening a Safer Drug Consumption Facility pilot, working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities and widening access to life-saving naloxone.
“We will also continue to improve access to residential rehab, where we’re on track to meet our target for additional placements and drive the rollout of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards to make treatment and support available more quickly.
“Despite this unwelcome rise, I believe that National Mission action has led to much being achieved in a short space of time, with projects delivered on an unprecedented scale making a real difference to people.
“We will intensify our efforts and are also working hard to respond to the growing threat from highly dangerous, super-strong synthetic opioids like nitazenes in an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply.”
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