Suspected drug deaths increase by 10%

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today demanded the SNP Government reverse its “unforgiveable” cut to drug and alcohol support services after it was revealed that the number of suspected drug deaths has increased by 10% in the last year.

Police Scotland figures show that there were 1,219 suspected drug deaths over the 12 months to March 2024 – an increase of 10% (114).

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“100 people a month are dying in Scotland’s drugs deaths emergency. Every death is a life cut short and a family torn apart by grief.

“Scotland has by far the worst drug death crisis in Europe. These figures show things are getting worse so it is unforgiveable that the SNP have just inflicted a real-terms cut to drugs services.

“It’s why Scottish Liberal Democrats have called for this key budget to be protected, for new drug checking facilities and a nationwide network of safer consumption rooms, and for people misusing drugs to get treatment instead of prison.

“We need to do everything possible to stop people dying.”