Dismayed by drug death numbers – LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and Scottish Labour deputy leader Dumbarton MSP Dame Jackie Baillie.
By Bill Heaney
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP and Labour’s Dame Jackie Baillie have today warned that the country’s drugs crisis continues to “end lives and blight communities,” as new statistics revealed that drug-related hospital admissions, suspected drug deaths and deaths linked to nitazenes are all worryingly high.
Figures published today show:
- Between July and September 2023, there were 2,423 drug-related hospital admissions. This is 20% higher than the equivalent quarter recorded in 2022.
- Between September and November 2023, the number of suspected weekly drug deaths averaged 21 per week. The total number of suspected weekly drug deaths was 267.
- Public Health Scotland also confirmed that: “Based on post-mortem toxicology testing, nitazenes were detected in 25 deaths (up to 30 September 2023).”
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Progress on tackling Scotland’s drugs deaths rate, the highest in Europe, has been truly woeful. Today’s figures show that this crisis continues to end lives and blight communities.
“It is particularly alarming to see nitazenes, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin, responsible for a growing number of deaths.
“I have joined with campaigners in warning that these substances represent a growing part of the drugs death crisis and that their presence in Scotland will require an immediate response. That’s why I asked Humza Yousaf about nitazenes during First Minister’s Questions in early January.
“Despite these emerging threats and the SNP’s abject failure to address the crisis, the Scottish Government’s chaotic budget plans to deliver a real-terms cut to drug services.
“Well-meaning words and promises just won’t cut it. As well as delivering radical and transformational action to help all those suffering, I want ministers to protect and strengthen the drug and alcohol budget so that everyone can access care when they need it.”
Too many lives are still being destroyed by drugs, Scottish Labour has warned as a new report shows drug-related harms remain stubbornly high in Scotland.
A Public Health Scotland report monitoring drug-related harm in Scotland showed that between September and November 2023:
- the average weekly number of Scottish Ambulance Service naloxone administration incidents was 14% higher than in 2022.
- drug-related attendances at emergency departments were similar to the same period in 2022.
- drug-related hospital admissions were 20% higher than in 2022.
- There were 267 suspected drug deaths – just 6% lower compared to 2022.
Scottish Labour branded these statistics a “scandal” and called on the SNP government to deliver more than “warm words and sticking plasters” to tackle this crisis and save lives.
Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said “This heart-breaking report shows far too many lives are still being destroyed by drugs.
“More must be done to not only stop these tragic deaths but to help people recover.
“The SNP must deliver more than warm words and sticking plasters if it is going to tackle this crisis and save lives.
“There must be a joined-up response across government, including fair funding for rehabilitation and treatment services.”
Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report
Harm indicators
- Between September and November 2023, the average weekly number of Scottish Ambulance Service naloxone administration incidents decreased (from 84 to 75). The total number of incidents was 19% lower than in the same period in 2021 and 14% higher than in 2022. These figures do not take account of naloxone administration by members of the public, service workers, or other emergency responders such as police officers.
- Between September and November 2023, drug-related attendances at emergency departments were 13% lower than in the previous time period. The total number of attendances recorded was similar to the same period in 2021 and 2022.
- Between July and September 2023, drug-related hospital admissions were similar to the high in the previous period. The total number of admissions was 16% lower than the same period in 2021 and 20% higher than in 2022. These data should be interpreted with caution, as the number of admissions may be affected by issues accessing urgent care and by the capacity of hospital services.
- Between September and November 2023, there were 267 suspected drug deaths. The number of deaths was 8% lower than in the same period in 2021 (290) and 6% lower compared to 2022 (285).