Statistics published this morning this morning show a 1% fall in suspected drug deaths from this time last year.

The numbers were published ahead of the Drugs Policy minister’s appearance in front of the Health, Social Care and Sport committee.

Angela Constance MSP told the group of MSPs that today’s stats release on suspected drug death is “heart-breaking”, but was firm that drug deaths must be treated “not just a tragic, but as preventable”.

The report shows nine fewer drug related deaths occurred during the first six months of 2021 than in the same period in 2020, taking the total number to 722.

The data is taken from Police Scotland management information, and is published by the Scottish government every quarter as part of their wider commitment to improve data and surveillance on drug use and deaths.

Ms Constance told the committee that people can “cautiously take some encouragement from what appears as slightly lower rates of suspected drug deaths from the last period”, but also noted that complex polydrug deaths including those involving methadone and benzodiazepine had risen.

She told the committee:

“We know that treatment is protective, and what we need to do is get that culture of change, that culture of compassion in our services so people can access services easier; that services can be more ‘fleet of foot’ in terms of following people up, and people should have informed choices about their services and treatment too.”

Amongst the Minister’s priorities for the next session is increasing the role of Buvidal – a long-acting opiate replacement therapy – in treatment, following successful pilots across prisons and the Glasgow area, as well as pushing for the inclusion of alcohol and drug services within the proposed National Care Service.

Ms Constance also announced that a stigma tackling campaign – which she says is still, for many people, a barrier to accessing lifesaving services – will be launched in December of this year.

Professor Angela Thomas, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, representing over 14,000 Fellows and Members, responded to the suspected drug death statistics, saying:

“In the debate on drug-related deaths, we must ensure that supporting and treating people who use drugs is front and centre.

"We are encouraging political parties, the health and care community, and members of the public to take part in a constructive debate about what can be done to save lives and support people who use drugs.

"The College believes that measures can be introduced now - including the decriminalisation of drugs possession for personal use, the introduction safe consumption facilities and a national heroin-assisted treatment programme – to help tackle Scotland’s drug deaths crisis”.

Read more: Drug checking ‘important response’ to record deaths; 28-day drug therapy roll out follows prison success; Call to extend overdose kits to community pharmacies

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