Scottish drug-related hospital stays decreased last year, figures show

Drug-related hospital stays in Scotland decreased last year, with opioid use showing a 20-year low.

New figures from Public Health Scotland show that over 2024-25, there were 10,185 drug-related hospital stays, which is a decrease compared with 11,148 in 2023-24.

The European Age-sex Standardised Rate of drug-related hospital stays showed 192 stays per 100,000 population in 2024-25. This rate is a decrease from 2023-24 of 212 stays per 100,000 population.

In relation to drug types, the highest hospital stay rate was linked to opioids at 75 stays per 100,000 of the population.

Although opioids remained the most commonly reported drug type in 2024-25, this rate was lower than in 2023-24, which showed 91 stays per 100,000.

It was comparable to 2006-07 which was 74 stays per 100,000, indicating a 20-year low.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: “We are working hard to save and improve lives. These statistics show a welcome fall in the rate of drug-related hospital stays.

“Our draft Budget maintains record levels of funding for alcohol and drugs policy of more than £160 million in total, and we are widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone.

“We opened the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility and are working with partners to get drug-checking services up and running as soon as possible.”

The rate of stays for drug poisoning or overdose decreased to 21 stays per 100,000 of the population, from 27 stays per 100,000 population in 2023-24.

This is the lowest rate observed since 2006-07, which matched at 21 stays per 100,000.

For the fifth consecutive year, the most common drugs associated with stays for drug poisoning or overdoses were sedatives or hypnotics, followed by opioids.

Ms Todd continued: “We are responding to the threat from xylazine and similar sedatives, ‘street benzos’, and highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes that increase the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death.

“Due to the high potency of nitazenes, repeat doses of life-saving naloxone may be needed and I urge people to carry extra kits with them.”