Drug deaths in Scotland remain high, figures show
That is only three less than the 2011 peak, according to a National Records of Scotland report.
Deaths containing heroin rose to 221, while those featuring methadone fell to 237.
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Hide AdThere was a rise in diazepam-related fatalities, up from 123 in 2011 to 160 last year.
The Scottish Government said it was pleased to see drug deaths among under-25s falling for a fifth successive year, down to 46.
Roseanna Cunningham, Community Safety Minister, said: “It is encouraging that drug deaths statistics show fewer young people are dying.
“This is in keeping with wider statistics on drug use in Scotland that show a decrease amongst the general population, and that use by young people is at its lowest for a decade.”