Glasgow had the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2024.
Figures released by the National Records of Scotland today, reveal that 185 people in the city died due to drug misuse last year.
This is a 24.8% drop in drug misuse deaths in Glasgow from 2023, where 246 people lost their lives.
1,017 drug misuse deaths were registered in Scotland in 2024, which was a 13% decrease from 2023. The latest figure is the lowest number registered since 2017, however, Scotland’s drugs deaths rate remains the worst in Europe.
Drugs minister Maree Todd welcomed the decrease in deaths but admitted there is still work to be done.
She said: “My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs.
“It is welcome that we have seen progress with the number of deaths at the lowest level since 2017 but I know there is still work to be done and we will continue to do everything we can to save and improve lives.
“This is particularly true as we face new threats from highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which further raise the risk of overdose and death.
“That is why we are providing record levels of funding for drugs and alcohol programmes and widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone.
“We have also supported and funded the opening of the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility and are working at pace to deliver drug-checking facilities.
“The spread of grassroots support, enhanced by our funding of more than 300 organisations and projects, has also made a difference on the ground.
“However, we will always want to do more and will continue to work hard to adapt to new patterns of consumption and demand to direct support where it is most needed.”
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, said: “Every life lost to drugs is a tragedy and each has a devastating impact on families and communities across the country.
“While it is welcome that there has been progress made towards reducing the number of fatalities, there are still far too many lives being needlessly cut short.
“Scotland’s drug emergency is claiming far too many lives and more must be done to not only save lives but ensure that people can get the recovery support that they need.
“The SNP Government must also work with Police Scotland, local authorities and health boards to ensure that those making money out of this misery are held to account, while their victims have the best possible chance of recovery.”
The Scottish Tories said Tuesday’s “devastating” figures “laid bare the tragic human toll of Scotland’s drugs emergency which has spiralled out of control on the SNP’s watch”.
Annie Wells, the party’s drugs spokeswoman at Holyrood, said: “It’s heartbreaking and intolerable that so many lives continue to be lost, and so many families left bereft, because Scotland has the highest drugs death rate in Europe.
“And it’s shameful that, as ever with this nationalist Government, those living in the poorest areas are worst affected.
“SNP ministers have repeatedly taken their eye off the ball, and still have no coherent and credible strategy for tackling this national crisis.”
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The 2024 Scotland figures also revealed that males were more than twice as likely to have a drug misuse death as females. However, both male and female deaths decreased in the past year.
The statistics also showed that the average age of drug misuse deaths has increased from 32 years in 2000 to 45 years in 2024.
Of all drug misuse deaths in 2024, other significant drugs which were implicated were Alcohol (97 deaths), Amphetamines (42 deaths), Ketamine (21 deaths), Xylazine (20 deaths) and Ecstasy type (19 deaths).
The majority (91%) of drug misuse deaths were classified as accidental poisonings, with 6% classed as intentional self-poisonings.
The figures come after the UK’s first legal drugs consumption room opened its doors in Glasgow on January 13, 2025.
The Thistle Centre is designed to provide drug users with a safe place to take substances like heroin and cocaine under medical supervision in a clean and hygienic environment.
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