DRUG DEATH CRISIS

Calls for national emergency as victim numbers set to top 1000

THE NUMBER of annual drugs deaths in Scotland is about to break the 1000 mark for the first time – prompting calls for a national emergency to be declared.

Figures yesterday laid bare the crisis and added further shame to a nation that already tops the European death league table.

Information released by Police Scotland shows a 24 per cent leap, with some areas already considered to be drugs blackspots seeing death rates double between January and July this year.

At least 60 more deaths are being probed as drug-related, meaning the figure is likely to rise.

Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson Monica Lennon called for a change to the SNP Government approach.

Drug deaths have increased from 455 in 2007 when they came to power, to 934 in 2017 – and are still rapidly rising.

Lennon said: “Scottish Labour previously urged the Scottish Government to declare a public health emergency on drugs and alcohol deaths and we pledged our full support to work with ministers on radical solutions.

“This was rejected and I urge SNP ministers to think again.

“These deaths are preventable and it makes no sense that funding for vital alcohol and drug recovery services was cut at a time when drug deaths were hitting record levels. We need to know the right lessons are being learned.

“Declaring a public health emergency will bring an end to complacency around substance misuse and make this a priority.”

The latest figures show from January to July 2018 there were 509 drug deaths – up from 409 the previous year, a 24 per cent jump. Ayrshire went from 21 deaths to 46 for the period – up 119 per cent – and Forth Valley went from 15 to 29.

Greater Glasgow saw 134 drug deaths for the period, up from 95 – a rise of 41 per cent.

Edinburgh experienced a 45 per cent increase, from 31 to 45,

Official Government statistics are released each summer but Police Scotland keep their own unofficial tally of drug deaths, which were released via a freedom of information request. The Record has highlighted the crisis via our campaign on street Valium – or “blue plague”.

The combination of these 50p pills with drugs like heroin, methadone, cocaine and alcohol, is often fatal and the volume hitting the streets has helped send the death rate soaring.

The Scottish Tories have also called for a new approach with fewer programmes to keep addicts on drugs like methadone year after year.

Their health spokesman Miles Briggs said: “The rate of drugs deaths has spiralled under the SNP Government, and they don’t seem to have any answers.

“Instead, SNP ministers have waved the white flag and seem to want to make it easier for people to take drugs.”

Martin Powell, from drug reform think-tank Transform, said the figures were “horrifying”.

He added: “Scotland was already the drug deaths capital of Europe. A 24 per cent increase in deaths makes this an unmitigated disaster that demands a radical change of direction. Portugal reduced its drug deaths rate to less than 1/50th of Scotland’s by ending the criminalisation of people who use drugs so they weren’t afraid to seek help, and putting the money saved into health, not punishment. To halt this crisis, the UK and Scottish Governments must do the same.”

David Liddell, CEO of Scottish Drugs Forum, acknowledged most overdose deaths involve two or more drugs.

He said: “We need to do more of what is evidenced to work and that includes making sure people can get into treatment quickly and be supported to stay in treatment.”

Scotland has the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe, with 175 for every million of 15 to 64-yearolds. That figure is two-and-ahalf times the UK average.

When confronted with the statistics, a Scottish Government spokesman said a “refreshed” drug strategy sets out bold measures. But, alarmingly, the statement churned out the same phrases the SNP have hidden

behind as Scottish deaths have risen, citing an “ageing cohort” of users driving the mortality figures.

The spokesman said: “The nature of Scotland’s drug problem has changed. We now have a group of people, many of whom have lived with drug use for a long time, who are more vulnerable as they grow older and are experiencing a wide range of complex health and social problems. Fewer people are using drugs, particularly young people.

“However, there is an ageing cohort for whom drug use has become more harmful. As demonstrated by our support for Glasgow’s proposals to introduce a safer medically supervised drug consumption facility and offer heroin assisted treatment, we are willing to back innovative approaches.

“We urge the UK Government to either back these proposals or devolve authority over these matters to Scotland so we can take action.”