Drug deaths in Scotland fall but remain worst in Europe

Scotland’s drug death rate remains the worst in Europe, even though the number of those deaths has gone down more than ten per cent.

Figures released today show that there were 1,017 drug deaths in 2024 – that’s the lowest in eight years, but still a higher rate than in the rest of the UK.

It’s been described as ‘Scotland’s shame’, and now the government is hoping new harm reduction methods like a drug consumption room in Glasgow will help turn the tide.