A UK-WIDE summit on tackling problem drug use is to be held in Scotland next month, it has been confirmed. 

The UK Government announced that drug recovery experts, health professionals, senior police officers and ministers from all four UK nations will attend the event on February 27. 

Calls for a summit to address the issue of drug misuse, particularly the the rising number of drugs deaths in Scotland, had come from several political parties.

Scottish drugs deaths rose to 1187 in 2018, the highest since records began in 1996.

READ MORE: SNP renew drugs call after Tory MSP urges PM to attend summit

UK Minister for Crime, Policing and the Fire Service Kit Malthouse, who will chair the event in Glasgow, welcomed the opportunity to hear from experts and other key individuals.

"People are dying from drugs every day across the UK and this summit will bring us together to tackle the issue of drug misuse," he said.

"We must have firm enforcement action and do all we can on prevention, recovery and treatment, too.

"I look forward to meeting key individuals from across the UK and listening to their views on addressing this challenge."

And Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: "The high numbers of lives lost to drugs in Scotland is a tragedy, a huge cause for concern.

"I am pleased that the UK Government is to bring experts together from all parts of the country, to share experience about tackling this terrible scourge."