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The number of Scots killed by drugs fell by 13 per cent last year to reach the lowest annual total since 2017, official figures have revealed. ‌

But Scotland remains the drug deaths capital of Europe - and the rate of fatalities caused by substance abuse is almost three times higher north of the Border than in England and Wales. ‌

There were 1,017 drugs deaths recorded in 2024, a decrease of 155 deaths on the previous year. The statistics also showed that Scots living in the most deprived areas are 12 times more likely to die from drugs compared to those living in the richest. ‌

Glasgow, Dundee and Inverclyde council areas had the highest rates of drug misuse deaths in the years from 2020-2024.

The Record has led the way in calling for the drug deaths crisis to be pushe

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