Scottish drug deaths jump
- Published: 07 August 2008 12:11
- Author: Simon Ellery
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 19 August 2008 16:03
Drug related deaths in Scotland have jumped 8% to record levels.
Scottish community safety minister Fergus Ewing said: "We are naturally disappointed that the number of drug-related deaths in 2007 was the highest ever recorded in Scotland."
The figures show there were 455 drug deaths during the year.
Mr Ewing said: "Of course these figures precede the publication of our new drugs strategy, The Road to Recovery, which was supported by Parliament in June.
"I am confident many of the changes it proposes will have a positive impact in reducing drug-related deaths.
"For two decades Scotland has been in the grip of drugs - reacting and responding to the impact they have had on our people, our public services, and our economic potential. This strategy is about taking control of our lives again - as individuals and as a nation."
David Liddell, director of the Scottish Drugs Forum, said many services are overwhelmed by demand for treatment and support.
"There are also huge obstacles to overcoming underlying factors such as poverty, social breakdown and the difficulty of accessing quality training and employment opportunities for people trying to avoid or move on from a drug problem."
He said the new drugs strategy was driving "massive changes to the way we approach our terrible drugs problem".
"It is a highly ambitious plan of action which will demand various agencies to change the way they work. It is vital that they also have the energy, vision and appropriate resources to see it through."
