Scottish drug deaths remains national shame

The annual report from the National Record of Scotland detailed a 10% rise in drug deaths from controlled substances in 2023.

First Published: 20th August 2024

The National Records of Scotland has reported a 10% rise in the number of drug related deaths in 2023 to 1,172.

There was echoes of hope when last year’s annual statistical summary reported 21% fewer deaths in 2022 than in the previous year, the most significant reduction since records began in 1996.

However, 2023 saw 121 more Scots lose their lives to illegal drug poisoning than the previous 12 months period.

The National Records of Scotland has tracked drug-related deaths in Scotland since 1996. Credit: NRS

Drug deaths are defined by drug poisoning being recorded as the cause of death when a controlled substance listed by the Misuse of Drugs Act is found in the body.

Scots men are more than twice as likely to die from drug poisoning, while addicts living in deprived areas around Scotland – particularly in Glasgow and Dundee – are 15 times more likely to die when compared to those living in more affluent areas, such as East Renfrewshire and Aberdeen.

Drug misuse deaths in the worst afflicted NHS health board areas 2019-2023. Credit: NRS

Opioids and opiates – such as heroin – remain the deadliest drug in Scotland, a factor in eight out of every ten drug deaths, overwhelmingly affecting the 35-54 age bracket is overwhelmingly affected.

Drug misuse deaths in Scotland by drugs implicated. Credit: NRS

Visiting the Skylark IX Recovery Trust in Dumbarton, Health Secretary Neil Gray says the government is committed to taking radical action.

He said: “There is a nervousness to taking a public health approach, but we know from international evidence that it works.

“That’s why we’re so committed to taking that radical action that families are calling for us to do.”

He is referring to the UK’s first Safe Drug Consumption Facility (SDCF), due to open in Glasgow in September.

Staffed by NHS care workers, it aims to minimise risk and reduce harm for some of Glasgow’s 400-500 opioid addicts who presently self-inject in public spaces.

“We’re halfway through the national mission,” said the Health Secretary, who promised the £250 million in additional support aims to be broad in scope.

“It’s not just on residential rehab,” he said, “it’s not just on community programs, it’s about e ensuring that we have a health and justice system that is working together.”

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray, shared in wider concern at the rising death toll in 2023.

Representing the Dumbarton constituency in the Scottish Parliament, Deputy Labour leader Jackie Baillie accused the SNP Government of “breaking its promises to families” destroyed by drug misuse.

She responded: “The SNP pledged to reduce drugs deaths, but these distressing figures show just how far it has failed to live up to its promises.

“Each of these numbers represent a human tragedy and a family who are no doubt still grieving today.

“The SNP Government, which is still desperately trying to correct its own historic cuts to alcohol and drug services, must stop breaking its promises to families.”

Outgoing Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, called the report “shocking and shameful”.

He said: “Behind this heartbreaking increase in drug deaths are families grieving the loss of loved ones and my thoughts are with all of them.

“Scotland’s drug deaths rate is by far the worst in Europe and the SNP’s approach is simply not working. Several years ago Nicola Sturgeon admitted she took her eye off the ball on tackling this emergency but deaths have continued to increase since then.

“That legacy is still causing huge harm in our most deprived areas, where people living in those communities are 15 times more likely to die than those in the least deprived areas.”

Deaths remain lower than the mid-pandemic peak of 2020-2021 – when 1,339 deaths were recorded – but figures for 2023 remain 4.2 times higher than in 2000, adjusting for age.

After 17 years in power the finger is firmly pointed at an SNP government, so far unsuccessful in achieving the significant reduction necessary to begin the process of wiping away Scotland’s shame.

One response to “Scottish drug deaths remains national shame”

arayner1936

October 12, 2024 at 8:58 pm

There should be no finger pointing at the SNP government?as the reasons for the high drug deaths in Scotland go back much further.
A significant cause was the politics of the 80s under Thatcher, when a?massive amount of Scotlsnds industries were shut down leaving thousands of men unemployed and whole communities devastated. Little was f one to help them find alternative work and they free more and more hopeless and resorted to drink and drugs to escape from an intolerable situation.
It is these men largely who have been dying from the inevitable effects of that life choice, which was not really a choice but a cry of despair. It is they who are behind Scotlands drug death toll abd the numbers will soon fall as there cannot be that many left.
To anyone still blaming the Scottish government, I suggest they need to learn some history to know who the real culprits are, and they were not Scottish, but an uncaring English government with an agenda that did not include prosperity for Scotland.

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