Cole-Hamilton: SNP making woeful progress on Scotland’s drugs emergency

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today warned that the country’s drugs crisis continues to “end lives and blight communities”, as new statistics revealed that drug-related hospital admissions, suspected drug deaths and deaths linked to nitazenes are all worryingly high.

Figures published today show:

• Between July and September 2023, there were 2,423 drug-related hospital admissions. This is 20% higher than the equivalent quarter recorded in 2022.
• Between September and November 2023, the number of suspected weekly drug deaths averaged 21 per week. The total number of suspected weekly drug deaths was 267.
• Public Health Scotland also confirmed that: “Based on post-mortem toxicology testing, nitazenes were detected in 25 deaths (up to 30 September 2023).”

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“Progress on tackling Scotland’s drugs deaths rate, the highest in Europe, has been truly woeful. Today’s figures show that this crisis continues to end lives and blight communities.

“It is particularly alarming to see nitazenes, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin, responsible for a growing number of deaths.

"I have joined with campaigners in warning that these substances represent a growing part of the drugs death crisis and that their presence in Scotland will require an immediate response. That’s why I asked Humza Yousaf about nitazenes during First Minister’s Questions in early January.

“Despite these emerging threats and the SNP’s abject failure to address the crisis, the Scottish Government’s chaotic budget plans to deliver a real-terms cut to drug services.

“Well-meaning words and promises just won’t cut it. As well as delivering radical and transformational action to help all those suffering, I want ministers to protect and strengthen the drug and alcohol budget so that everyone can access care when they need it.”