Scotland drug deaths: Favor CEO criticises government’s response

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The country recorded by far the most deaths from drug misuse in Europe last year after 1,339 people died. This was more than three-and-a-half times that of England and Wales and far exceeded any country on the continent.

Despite calls for something to be done to tackle the problem, drug-related deaths have increased substantially over the past 20 years.

Notably, it is now almost three times higher than it was a decade ago – shortly after the Scottish National Party (SNP) took power in Holyrood.

This upward trend has been accelerating since 2013 – around the time Ms Sturgeon’s party began campaigning ahead of the 2014 independence referendum.

Despite the stats emerging last week, the Scottish First Minister only released a statement on the issue and deferred all further comments to drugs minister Angela Constance.

This led Scottish Tory MSP Maurice Golden to slam the First Minister.

He tweeted: “Scotland is in the grip of a full-blown drug deaths crisis.

“But leadership from Nicola Sturgeon is nowhere to be found.

“With the worst drug deaths rate in Europe, the First Minister should address parliament herself today.”

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Of the deaths, 93 percent were reported as a result of accidental overdoses while four percent were considered deliberate self-poisoning.

Just one percent of deaths were as a result of long-term drug abuse, while two percent were undetermined.

Opiates such as heroin and methadone were implicated in 1,192 deaths while benzodiazepines such as diazepam and etizolam were implicated in 974.

Gabapentin or pregabalin were present in the bodies of 502 people who died, and cocaine in 459.

Opposition parties say cuts to drug rehab and addiction programmes by the SNP government played a big part in the upward trend.

Ms Sturgeon previously admitted that the number of deaths was “indefensible” and “a national disgrace”.

She even said that her government had not done enough to tackle the problem.

When the statistics were published last week Ms Sturgeon said they were a “human tragedy”.

She added: “The Scottish Government does not shirk the responsibility and we are determined to make changes that will save lives. These 2020 figures (though no less shameful because of it) predate actions set out at the start of year.

“We now have a dedicated drugs minister in Angela Constance, a substantial funding commitment and action underway, for example, to ensure faster access to community support, treatment and rehab. We will also continue to argue for reform of drugs law, which is not currently within our power.”

The Scottish Government said that any statement would be made by Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance, rather than the First Minister.

Express.co.uk has contacted Ms Sturgeon for comment.

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