The old story with no happy ending is becoming alarming. Statistics in Scotland show that fatalities increased 12% in 2023 in comparison with the previous year. The fatalities are due to increased use of drugs. Government’s condolence in Scotland does not make the situation better. Health consultants are warning about the uncontrolled rise in death rates and asking the government to take actions instead of just watching.
Drug-related fatalities in Scotland are in dire need of attention. Scotland continues to have the highest drug-related death rate in Europe with 1,051 people dying as a result of a preventable drug overdose. The number of deaths involving bromazolam rose from 54 in 2022 to 426 last year. Deaths involving synthetic opioids known as nitazenes rose from just one to 23 in 12 months.
Drug-related Fatalities in Scotland: Health Secretary Expresses Condolences
Government pledges to step up efforts to tackle problem as figures show number of deaths rose to 1,172 in 2023.
Scotland’s drug deaths remain the worst in Europe. Ministers pledged to intensify efforts to deal with the problem after a “hugely concerning” 12% increase in fatalities last year.
The health secretary, Neil Gray, said the Scottish government was also “working hard to respond to the growing threat from highly dangerous opioids like nitazenes”. They were effective in 23 deaths. The released figures show a 12% rise in deaths. Drugs claimed the lives of 1,172 Scots in 2023 – up 121 on the previous year. Gray said: “My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs. “Level of deaths remains hugely concerning and underlines why we will continue to do all we can to reduce harm and deaths caused by drugs.”
Drug-related Fatalities in Scotland: An Old Story with No Happy Ending
Agencies working with addicts said the “measurable failures” driving this ongoing public health emergency remained the same. Austin Smith, from the Scottish Drugs Forum, said: “The big story is the old story. It is that not enough people are getting into treatment. And when they do, they do not get the offer like the sort of wraparound care that they need. They need this care to support them with the reasons they have been self-medicating in the first place.”
The National Records of Scotland data showed that opioid drugs, such as heroin and methadone, were the cause of 80% of all drugs deaths last year. However, agencies cautioned against overplaying concerns about new substances being responsible for the increase.
Drug-related Fatalities in Scotland: Bromazolam and Nitazenes Killing People
The number of deaths involving bromazolam – a type of benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety disorders– rose from 54 in 2022 to 426 last year. While deaths involving synthetic opioids known as nitazenes rose from just one to 23 in 12 months. Nitazenes have flooded the market in the US since the Taliban’s disruption of the global drugs trade.
There was also a sharp rise in cocaine overdoses, with the drug a factor in 479 deaths in 2023. It showes an increase from 371 deaths in 2022. Deaths from accidental opioid overdoses can occur due to respiratory depression. However, this risk increases if one uses opioids alongside other drugs like benzodiazepines.
False Promises: Ministers Not Trying to Treat Addiction
On Monday, the Scottish Drugs Forum published its own evaluation of treatment available across the country. The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced a “national mission” to tackle the country’s chronic and epidemic fatality rates. But the Forum questioned why targets to improve services and increase the number of people in treatment had not been met three years after then.
The report says Scotland has not achieved the target 9% increase in the number of people in treatment. Scottish government set the target in March 2022 for April 2024. However, the target is just an unachieved target. It is likewise the Medication Assisted Treatment standards. The government introduced the standards in May 2021 and designed to make services more accessible, but it remained a not-fully implemented suggestion. Smith said: “We’re failing to make the therapeutic relationships with people. We can get into the details of prescribing and dosing. But this should be about empowerment, and helping people with whatever else is going on in their lives. These people are not ‘parked on methadone’ which many people in the report still described.”
Statistics Narrating the True Story: Drug-related fatalities in Scotland
During 2023, there were 1,197 suspected drug deaths, 10% (105) more than during 2022. There were 875 suspected drug deaths of males (73%). This is an increase of 14% (108) compared to 2022, when there were 767 such deaths.
There were 322 suspected drug deaths of females (27%), a decrease of 1% (3) compared to 2022 when there were 325 such deaths.
A majority (66%) of suspected drug deaths were of people aged between 35 and 54. This is broadly in line with previous periods. There were 54 suspected drug deaths in the under 25 age group (5%). This is 2% (1) fewer than in 2022 when there were 55 such deaths. The Police Divisions with the greatest number of suspected drug deaths were: Greater Glasgow (303), Lanarkshire (147) and Edinburgh City (118).
Tears for People’s Death: Government Must Take Serious Actions
Reflecting on the publication of the figures, Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant at Public Health Scotland (PHS), said: “The deaths announced today are not just numbers. They reflect real people in our communities and families that are now coping with grief. They are also a stark reminder that this is one of the most significant public health challenges in Scotland. There is no simple solution to overcoming the deeply entrenched issues that underpin problematic drug use in Scotland, including poverty, homelessness, trauma, and stigma
“The unregulated drugs market is always evolving, however it’s clear that in Scotland it is becoming increasingly toxic and unpredictable. Through RADAR, Scotland’s drug harms early warning system, we’ve identified a notable rise in the availability of new synthetic drugs. These drugs include nitazenes, bromazolam, and xylazine, whose potency makes them particularly deadly. These drugs , often mixed with other substances, can cause harmful effects that even experienced drug users cannot predict.
Opioid a Hidden Murderer: 2024 Not a Better Year
Scotland continues to have the highest drug-related death rate in Europe with 1,051 people dying as a result of a preventable drug overdose. Using toxicology analysis, we can determine that the majority of drug-related deaths in Scotland is potentially due to opioids.
In March 2024, PHS published the first report from this new public health surveillance collaboration. It estimated the number of people with an opioid dependence in Scotland. Drug-related fatalities in Scotland in 2024, do not have a better and more relaxing view either. There were 1, 219 suspected drug deaths over the 12 months to March 2024, 10% (114) more than the 12 months to March 2023.
