Fury as Scottish drugs deaths - already the worst in Europe - surge another 10% ... trends now
The SNP were today blasted for failing to tackle Scotland's 'national shame' as latest figures showed a 10 per cent rise in suspected drugs deaths in the country.
New data published by the Scottish Government showed 1,197 people died as a result of suspected drug use last year.
This was up by 105 from 2022 and reversed a decline in suspected drugs deaths in Scotland over recent years.
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said the figures were a 'shocking indictment of the SNP's failure to tackle our national shame' after 17 years in power.
Even before last year's rise, Scotland already had the highest rate of drug deaths in Europe - including the rest of Great Britain.
The latest figures were published as SNP leader Humza Yousaf prepared to use a speech tonight to blame Brexit for Scotland's 'damaged' public services.
But, ahead of his address at the London School of Economics, critics claimed the First Minister was 'looking for any excuse to cover up the failings of the SNP'.
New data published by the Scottish Government showed 1,197 people died as a result of suspected drug use last year
The suspected drugs death figures were produced using police data and showed Greater Glasgow recorded the highest number of drug deaths last year with 303
The latest figures were published as SNP leader Humza Yousaf prepared to use a speech to blame Brexit for Scotland's 'damaged' public services
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said the drug deaths figures were a 'shocking indictment of the SNP's failure to tackle our national shame' after 17 years in power
The suspected drugs death figures were produced using police data and showed Greater Glasgow recorded the highest number of drug deaths last year with 303.
This was more than double the 147 seen in Lanarkshire – the second highest.
Men continue to account for the highest proportion of deaths, at 73 per cent, while 27 per cent were women.
The 35 to 54 age group continued to have the highest proportion of suspected drug deaths, accounting for two-thirds of the total, while under-25s made up 5 per cent of the total.
The Scottish Tories urged the SNP-led Scottish Government to support their Right to Recovery (Scotland) Bill, which would enshrine in law the right to receive 'potentially life-saving' treatment, including residential rehabilitation.
Mr Ross said: 'Another 1,197 lives lost. A shocking indictment of the SNP's failure to tackle our national shame.'
He urged Mr Yousaf not to 'repeat Nicola Sturgeon's mistakes', adding:
