As chaotic SNP obsesses over next leader, drug deaths soar to 23 a week

SCOTLAND’S drug deaths crisis has deepened as alarming new figures show that substance abuse is killing more than 20 people a week.

Suspected drugs deaths have soared 11 per cent in the latest threemonth period, sparking calls for more action to tackle the ‘scandal’.

There were 278 suspected drug deaths between December last year and February, an average of 23 a week.

Nitazenes, synthetic opioids 50 times than heroin, were linked to 38 fatalities between June 2022 and December 2023, sparking fears they are a grow- ing part of the crisis.

Scottish Labour’s health spokesman Dame Jackie Baillie said: ‘The number of lives being lost to drugs in Scotland is both a tragedy and a scandal.

‘It has been years since the SNP declared a public health emergency but Scotland remains stuck in the grip of a drug death crisis.

‘Behind these devastating figures are lives cut short and families destroyed – we need action now.

‘Scotland has been failed for too long by this SNP government. We need change.’

The figures are based on reports from police attending scenes of deaths. However, drug-related hospital admissions for the last three months of 2023 are down by 24 per cent on the previous quarter.

The data is contained in the Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (Radar) report from Public Health Scotland. It states: ‘Between December 2021 and November 2023, the average weekly number of suspected drug deaths fluctuated considerably but remained within a range of 17 to 31 per week.’

Between October and December 2023, 1,942 drug-related hospital admissions were recorded, 24 per cent lower than the previous quarter but 7 per cent higher than the same period in 2022.

Dr Susanna Galea-Singer, chair of the addictions faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: ‘Working on the frontline, our clinicians tell us they’d like to see more ring-fenced funding in health, social care and the third sector. This would increase access for those people who desperately need treatment and support.’

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘Scotland’s drug deaths emergency continues to end lives and blight communities.

‘We are also seeing increasing evidence of nitazenes contributing significantly to that crisis.

‘I have joined with campaigners in warning that these substances represent a growing part of the drugs death crisis, highlighting that their presence in Scotland will require an immediate response.

‘Despite these emerging threats, the Scottish Government have delivered a brutal real-terms cut to drug services.

‘Well-meaning words and promises just won’t cut it. I want ministers to protect and strengthen the drug and alcohol budget so everyone can access care when they need it.’

Drugs and alcohol policy minister Christina McKelvie said: ‘We’re taking a wide range of measures including moving towards a safe drug consumption facility pilot.

‘Funding for drug policy has increased by 67 per cent in real terms from 2014-15 to 2023-24.

‘We’re working hard to respond to the growing threat from super-strong synthetic opioids such as nitazenes.’

‘Brutal cuts to drug services’