Rise in suspected drug deaths in Glasgow this year
Latest figures from Police Scotland show there were 61 deaths in the Greater Glasgow division between January and March.
It is a rise from the 50 deaths recorded for October to December last year.
It means a 22% increase in the Glasgow area since the start of the year.
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Across Scotland, there was also an increase in suspected deaths from 232 over the last three months of 2024 to 308 in the first three months of this year, a rise of 32%.
The numbers of suspected drug deaths fluctuate and the most recent figures for both the Glasgow and Scottish totals are fewer than the same three months in 2024
For January to March 2024, there were 71 for Greater Glasgow and 320 across Scotland.
The number of people dying from drug related deaths remains one of the highest in Europe and opposition politicians have said the government approach is not working.
Annie Wells, Glasgow Conservative MSP highlighted the
She said 'These devastating figures should be a source of shame for deluded SNP ministers, whose strategy to tackle drug deaths is clearly failing.
'They are completely detached from the reality of this national crisis which has spiralled to record levels on their watch.'
She used the latest figures to argue the opening of the Safer Drug Consumption Facility in Glasgow is not making a difference.
The centre opened in Janaury this year.
Wells added: 'Nationalist politicians have been at pains to trumpet the opening of The Thistle in Glasgow as a game-changing solution, yet the number of Scots suspected to have tragically lost their lives to drugs has risen sharply since it opened.
'It is clear that facility is feeding addiction, rather than helping to treat addiction.
"The public will be appalled that Neil Gray thinks more consumption rooms should get the green light while this flagship one is failing people so badly.'
She instead urged MSPs and the Scottish Government to back the Tories Right to Recovery Bill at Holyrood.
There have been 17 medical emergencies at the Thistle since it opened. The health secretary said last week had they not been at the centre they likely would have died.
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The Liberal Democrats, however, said more facilities like the Thistle are needed.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish LibDem leader, said: 'One hundred people a month are dying in Scotland's drug deaths crisis. It is nothing short of a national tragedy.
'Drug misuse casts a long shadow across Scotland.
'Scottish Liberal Democrats would give our country the world-class drug services it deserves.
'From rolling out a nationwide network of safer consumption rooms to new drug checking facilities, it's time ministers listened to our calls.'
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