Drug deaths hit record high after numbers rise
Stats show increase for the fourth year in a row
Drug-related deaths in South Lanarkshire have hit record levels after increasing for the fourth successive year in 2020.
Figures released by the National Records of Scotland revealed 91 drug-related deaths last year – an increase of 33.8 per cent on the previous year.
Of those, 58 were men and 33 were women.
Director of the drug, alcohol and mental health charity With You, Andrew Horne said that he remained “concerned and saddened by the tragic and continual increase in the numbers of lives lost due to problems with drugs”.
Drugs policy minister Angela Constance has described the increase in drug-related deaths as “heart-breaking,” and reiterated the Scottish Government’s determination to address the crisis.
South Lanarkshire saw the fourth most drug-related deaths in Scotland behind Glasgow City (291), North Lanarkshire (94) and City of Edinburgh (92).
However, only Glasgow City (80) saw more drug-related deaths in women than South Lanarkshire.
Most drugs-related deaths in the region were caused by accidental poisoning (86).
However, four were classed as intentional self-poisoning and one where the intent was unknown. The highest rate of drugs deaths was in people aged between 35 and 44, where 61.8 people died for every 100,000 population.
Across South Lanarkshire as a whole, the rate was 20.7 per 100,000 – higher than the national average (20.6).
Andrew explained: “Every drug-related death is preventable, and each death has a huge impact on families and communities, continuing to be felt years down the line.
“Our thoughts are with the thousands of people who have lost a loved one in the past year.
“We have a mountain to climb to reverse these alarming figures but with the recently strengthened commitment and decisive action now being taken, we are hopeful that change is possible.
“New investment in outreach teams for people who have had a non-fatal overdose or who have dropped out of treatment marks a significant step forward, as does the improved support for people transitioning from prison into the community.
“Changes to enable quicker access to appointments and more choice over treatment, as standard across Scotland, are also positive.
“These figures are stark, but with new initiatives, clear standards and high expectations of services and partnership working, they can be brought down.” In total, across Scotland
drug-related deaths increased by five per cent to 1339 in 2020 – the highest on record and the seventh consecutive year that the figure has increased.
Ms Constance added: “Once again, the statistics on drug-related deaths are heartbreaking.
“I want to offer my sincere condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one through drug use.
“We need to gather as much information as we can about drug use in Scotland and to
that end, data on suspected drug deaths will be published quarterly from this September.
“This will ensure that we can react more quickly and effectively to this crisis and identify any emerging trends. We are working hard to get more people into the treatment that works for them as quickly as possible.
“Without treatment, there is little hope of recovery so we are funding as many community and third sector initiatives as we can so that individuals have the widest possible choice and can opt for the support which suits them and their family.
“Of the £250 million announced over the next five years, £100m will go on improving the provision of residential rehabilitation and I will update Parliament on progress in this area after the summer recess.
“I’m determined that every penny of this additional funding will make a difference to all those affected by drug use in Scotland.”