Lanarkshire MSP urges Scottish Government to do more following alarming rise in number of drug deaths

Daily Record

30-04-2025

A Lanarkshire MSP has called on the Scottish Government to do more following an alarming rise in the number of drug deaths across the country. New figures showed there were 251 suspected drugs deaths between December 2 2024 and February 23 this year - an average of 21 per week. The figures cover the period when the UK's first safer drugs consumption room opened in Glasgow in January of this year. However the data, published by Public Health Scotland, showed that the number of suspected drug deaths over the December to February period was 17 per cent higher than the previous three months, when there were 215 fatalities. Labour Central Scotland list MSP Monica Lennon said: 'These figures show there is no room for complacency when it comes to Scotland's drugs death crisis. 'Scottish Labour welcomes the safe consumption room pilot, but this is not a substitute for a co-ordinated effort to stop the supply of drugs by criminal gangs who have no thought for the tragedies they unleash. 'The SNP government must work with Police Scotland, local authorities and health boards to ensure that those making money out of this misery are held to account while their victims have the best possible chance of recovery.' Health Secretary Neil Gray has warned of the dangers of an 'increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply'. Mr Gray, who is also MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, said: 'While this publication records a quarter-on-quarter rise in suspected drug deaths, it also notes the year-on-year fall. 'We continue to monitor the situation and are working hard to respond to the growing threat from polydrug use, including 'street benzos' and cocaine, and from highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes in an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply.' Mr Gray warned: 'Such synthetics increase the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death and are being found in a range of substances.' He advised that 'because of their strength' people should 'carry extra life-saving naloxone kits' - which can be used to reverse an overdose. Stressing that every drugs death is a 'tragedy', the Health Secretary said ministers were 'determined to continue our efforts to reduce harm and deaths'. He added: 'We want every person experiencing harm from drug use to be able access the support they need and through our five-year £250 million National Mission on drugs we're taking a wide range of actions. 'These include working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities which would enable us to respond faster to emerging drug trends, opening the UK's first safer drug consumption facility pilot, and widening access to residential rehab, treatment and life-saving naloxone.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .