Row sparks fear over figures

SCOTLAND’S next set of drug death figures could be delayed over a toxicology services funding row, an expert has warned.

David Liddell, of the Scottish Drugs Forum, fears the wrangle may result in the statistics not coming out in the summer as planned.

A total of 1187 people in Scotland died from drug-related deaths in 2018 – a record figure that led to the Record launching a campaign for decriminalisation.

Provisional figures show the 2019 total may be even higher, with the final number expected in July.

However, a dispute over the toxicology service provided by Glasgow University may result in a delay. The university, which is understood to provide reports in about 90 per cent of drug death cases, and the Crown Office could not agree on a price.

Liddell said: “Long delays in finalising the results of the toxicology tests of

BY PAUL HUTCHEON Political Editor people who have suffered suspected drug overdose deaths causes real problems.

“There is stress and suffering for family members and friends facing very long delays in finding out exactly what happened to their relatives and friends.

“This also may mean that the official total number of deaths in 2019 cannot be published as scheduled in early summer.”

The Crown Office recently announced £300,000 funding to address problems in the toxicology service. But Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “The Lord Advocate has allowed the delays to escalate and, despite pressure from families and politicians, has been too slow to get to grips with the troubled toxicology service.”

A National Records of Scotland spokesperson said: “Delays in toxicology results may impact the publication of the drugdeath statistics.”