Suspected drug-related deaths rise by 17 per cent on previous quarter

Suspected drug-related deaths in Scotland have risen by 17 per cent on the previous quarter, according to a new report from Public Health Scotland (PHS).  

The data published today shows that 251 people died of suspected drug deaths between December and February – 36 more than the previous quarter.  

Health secretary Neil Gray has warned of “an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply”, adding the Scottish Government is monitoring the situation and working to respond to the “growing threat of polydrug use”. 

The report found that “the majority of harm” involved the use of more than one substance and the average number of controlled drugs detected per sample was four in post-mortem and six in ASSIST (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test) toxicology. 

The data also highlights that deaths were 17 per cent lower than the quarter beginning in December 2023, when there were 304. It is also 12 per cent down from the three months commencing in December 2022, when the total was 285. 

While it shows drug-related attendances at hospitals have decreased by nine per cent on the previous quarter and are 14 per cent lower than that of the three months beginning in December 2023. 

Gray said: “While this publication records a quarter-on-quarter rise in suspected drug deaths, it also notes the year-on-year fall.   

“We continue to monitor the situation and are working hard to respond to the growing threat from polydrug use, including ‘street benzos’ and cocaine, and from highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes in an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply. Such synthetics increase the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death and are being found in a range of substances.”  

Due to the strength of these drugs, the health secretary has urged Scots to “carry extra life-saving naloxone kits”.  

The figures cover the period of the opening of the UK’s first safer drugs consumption room, which became open to the public in January.    

Gray added: “Every death is a tragedy, and we are determined to continue our efforts to reduce harm and deaths. My condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one. 

“We want every person experiencing harm from drug use to be able access the support they need and through our five-year £250 million National Mission on drugs we’re taking a wide range of actions. These include working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities which would enable us to respond faster to emerging drug trends, opening the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility pilot, and widening access to residential rehab, treatment and life-saving naloxone.” 

Scottish Labour’s drugs spokesperson Jackie Baillie said the figures showed there was “no room for complacency when it comes to Scotland’s drugs death crisis. 

She said: “Scottish Labour welcomes the safe consumption room pilot, but this is not a substitute for a co-ordinated effort to stop the supply of drugs by criminal gangs who have no thought for the tragedies they unleash. 

“The SNP government must work with Police Scotland, local authorities and health boards to ensure that those making money out of this misery are held to account while their victims have the best possible chance of recovery.” 

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton added: “Scotland’s drug deaths emergency is our national tragedy. This government should be doing everything possible to stop people dying. 

“As a former youth worker with a charity that focused on parental substance use, I was pleased to secure support for a new facility for mothers and their babies born addicted to drugs. That’s key to getting people on the right path, but there is still a mountain to climb.”