Deaths from drug overdoses in Scotland are on the rise again, with 1197 suspected fatalities in 2023. Despite efforts by SNP ministers, the government's approach to tackling drug deaths is not working effectively. The issue gained attention in 2019 after sustained pressure from campaigners. More than 1000 Scots have died annually from preventable drug overdoses since 2018.
There is no doubt SNP ministers have tried to make tackling drug deaths a priority. But after 17 years in power – and five years on from declaring a public health emergency – we learn deaths from overdoses are on the rise again, with a horrific 1197 suspected fatalities in 2023. The Scottish Government spent years not taking this issue seriously enough, and that only changed in 2019 after sustained pressure from the Daily Record and other campaigners.
After a glimmer of hope that drug death rates were starting to fall, this grim rise puts us back to square one. It shows us that whatever the government is doing, it’s not working. These deaths are not just statistics, they are people. Since 2018, more than 1000 Scots have died every year from preventable drug overdoses. A thousand futures lost. A thousand families left devastated. Every single year. We’ve campaigned for a network of safe drug consumption facilities around Scotland and hopefully that can help save at least some lives
Drug Deaths Scotland SNP Ministers Overdoses Fatalities Preventable Campaign Government
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