Suspected drug deaths in Scotland increase by almost 20%

The number of suspected drug deaths in Scotland has increased by almost 20% in a year, figures show.

Statistics released regularly by the Scottish Government show 291 deaths were recorded between July and September of this year, down slightly from 299 in the previous quarter but up from 244 the year before.

The data is gathered by Police Scotland and is based on officer reports from the scenes of deaths, but they are not backed up by toxicology.

The highest number of suspected deaths in the most recent quarter were recorded in the Greater Glasgow police division, with 62, followed by 35 in Lanarkshire.

The majority of suspected deaths were men – 215 – while 76 were women.

The figures come as new statistics show 94.7% of referrals to drug and alcohol treatment were seen within three weeks in the three weeks to September 30.

The Scottish Government aims for 90% of referrals to be seen within that time, a standard which has been hit in every quarter for the past four years.