Scotland's drug deaths are a 'national tragedy and a disgrace' - charities

Leading drug and substance abuse charities have responded to new figures showing that Scotland’s annual drug deaths have risen again, remaining the highest per population in Europe.

Scotland's drug deaths are a "national tragedy and a disgrace" said David Liddell, CEO of the Scottish Drugs Forum.

In 2019 there were 1,264 drug-related deaths according to National Records of Scotland, a six per cent increase on the previous year, when there were 1,187.

Nearly seven in ten of those who died were male, over two thirds were aged 35-54, and three-quarters occurred in five health board areas: Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Lothian, Tayside and Ayrshire & Arran.

David Liddell, CEO of Scottish Drugs Forum, said the deaths are a “grievous reminder” of the human cost of the drugs crisis.

"Ending this emergency must be the immediate priority for all of us and will require a concerted effort from all relevant agencies as well as political leadership and public support,” he said.

"None of us should regard these preventable deaths as acceptable or as anything other than a national tragedy and disgrace.

“The need for change is obvious and that change is long overdue.”

Scottish Families Affected by Drugs and Alcohol underlined that the drugs crisis continues year-round.

"We recognise that for families affected by substance use, this day is like every other day,” said CEO Justina Murray.

" Family members continue to live their lives under extreme pressure, with each day shaped by trying to support their loved ones in every possible way, and desperately trying to keep them safe and alive.”

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh called for a collaborative approach to the issue, including government, public health agencies, political parties and health professionals on the front line.

“It is vital that clinicians are included in the national conversation about how we can treat people who use drugs and prevent as many drug related deaths as possible,” said acting president Angela Thomas.

“The College believes that some key interventions can be taken now including the introduction of a drugs consumption room, and a heroin assisted treatment programme in all major centres in Scotland as we see already in Glasgow. This could be particularly useful, as the 2019 statistics indicate that heroin continues to be a heavy cause of drug related deaths in Scotland.

“We also support the targeted administration of Naloxone, and we call for action to tackle stigmatisation of people who use drugs – something we note that the Drug Deaths Taskforce is looking at.”

In response to the new figures, Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “These deaths stem from a longstanding and complex set of challenges, and there is no shortcut that will suddenly solve this.

"There is, however, action that we are taking right now that will have an impact more immediately, such as maximising the availability of Naloxone and the routes by which it can be supplied.

"Our work to introduce Medication Assisted Treatment standards is one of the most significant changes to the way in which treatment services operate.

"Furthermore, we have seen the introduction of a range of new and innovative approaches, including Scotland’s first heroin assisted treatment service in Glasgow.”

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