Drug deaths in Scotland remain high, figures show

The number of people dying after taking drugs remains at an almost record high with 581 fatalities last year.

Heroin

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.

There 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.”