By Bill Heaney
Action must be taken now to bolster support for drug rehabilitation and treatment, Scottish Labour has said, as statistics have shown that drug deaths are once more on the rise.
A shocking 900 suspected drugs deaths have been recorded in Scotland between January and September 2023 alone, an increase of 103 on the same period last year.
In the most recent quarter, July to September 2023, there were 300 suspected drug deaths during the period.
Scottish Labour is today warning that ‘lives are on the line’ and that action must be taken now.
Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie, right, said: “This tragic news has revealed the human cost of over a decade of government failure to tackle Scotland’s drugs crisis.
“While progress on the safe consumption room pilot in Glasgow is welcome, it is clear that much more needs to be done to keep people safe.
“The fact is that there is no silver bullet to bring down drugs deaths – what we need is a joined up approach that includes properly supported rehabilitation and treatment services.
“Delaying action to tackle drug deaths has fatal consequences – it is time for the government to wake up to the tragedy continuing to unfold on its watch and act to save lives.”
Between January and September 2023:
- There were 900 suspected drug deaths, 13% (103) more than during the same period of 2022;
For the calendar quarter July to September 2023:
- There were 300 suspected drug deaths during the period, 1% (2) fewer than between April and June 2023 and 28% (65) more than during the same calendar quarter in the previous year (July to September 2022).
Source: Suspected drug deaths in Scotland: July to September 2023
We can demand all we want but at the end of the day Scotland is a poor country with like many other poor,
(and indeed corrupt countries) big drug problems, and high drug deaths.
And if one need an example look at the Dumbarton High Street and environs. The poor run down drug riddled souls are there for the world to see. And that is only a reflection of the wider picture extant in so many schemes.
So, looking locally, one has to ask why is nothing being done or is it all someone else’s fault?
Time we cleaned up our town.