Scotland Reports 12% Rise in Drug Deaths for 2023

New data reveals 1,172 fatalities, with opiates and synthetic opioids posing significant threats.

Scotland's drug death rate remains the highest in Europe, far exceeding other UK regions.
The majority of deaths involved opiates and opioids, with a sharp increase in synthetic opioid fatalities.
Men were twice as likely to die from drug misuse as women, with the most deaths occurring in deprived areas.
Government initiatives include safer drug consumption facilities and increased funding for rehabilitation.
Political leaders call for urgent action, criticizing current policies as ineffective.