THE number of Scots dying drug-related deaths hit record levels last year, according to the latest statistics from the National Records of Scotland.
In 2019, 1264 died, up 6% on the previous year.
Of all the last year’s drug related deaths, nearly seven in 10 were male and over two thirds were aged 35 – 54.
Greater Glasgow & Clyde health board had by far the highest number of deaths, at 404. There were 163 in Lanarkshire, 155 in Lothian, 118 in Tayside and 108 in Ayrshire & Arran.
According to the NRS, Scotland’s drug-death rate was higher than those reported for all the EU countries, and was approximately three and a half times that of the UK as a whole.
The figures showed that heroin and/or morphine was implicated in more than half of all deaths, 645, while "street" benzodiazepines, such as etizolam, were found in 814.
David Liddell, chief executive officer of the Scottish Drugs Forum, 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."
Public Health minister Joe FitzPatrick insisted the Scottish Government was“doing everything in its powers to tackle rising drug deaths”.
He added: “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.”
FitzPatrick urged the UK Government “to take action to change the law so that overdose prevention facilities can be established as quickly as possible, either by taking the necessary steps themselves or by devolving powers to Scotland.”
But LibDem health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said the deaths were the result of both UK and Scottish government failures.
He said: "This news is tragic and will make for a difficult day for all those who lost a loved one last year. Lives are being lost on an unprecedented and unparalleled scale, and each of these people deserved better. There was nothing inevitable about their passing.
"Too often services simply aren't there, either through a lack of resources or a lack of political will. It shouldn't be left to ordinary people to take matters into their own hands and arrange the care, compassion and treatment others need."
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said the Scottish Government didn't need the UK government's permission to allow drug consumption rooms in Scotland: "The Lord Advocate has the power to act now.
"He should use his public interest discretion to ensure that no health professionals would face prosecution for providing lifesaving health interventions.
"Establishing safe consumption facilities could play a significant role in reducing drug-related deaths and other serious harms."
Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: "We can't sweep this public health and human rights emergency under the carpet a moment longer.
"Safe consumption facilities and increased rapid access to residential rehabilitation are vital and could happen today."
Scottish Tory health spokesman Donald Cameron added: "These statistics are both dreadful and heartbreaking in equal measure.
"Every one of these deaths is a tragic loss of life that could have been avoided."
Public health minister Joe FitzPatrick argued the Scottish Government is doing "everything in its powers" to tackle rising drug deaths.
The release of the figures was delayed for six-months due to a dispute over funding between the Crown Office and Glasgow University.
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