Trends Eight-year low for drugs deaths

[Abrad]

BBC

Drug-related deaths in Scotland have dropped to their lowest level in eight years, according to new findings.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry welcomed the figures but warned against complacency in the war against drugs.

General Register Office statistics on drug-related deaths showed that there were 336 deaths last year compared with 356 in 2004.

Despite the drop in deaths overall, deaths involving cocaine had risen from 38 in 2004 to 44 last year.

Figures were recorded according to the main drug involved but in many cases deaths were caused by a combination of drugs.

Mr Henry said: "Every death associated with drug misuse is a tragedy and reminds us that drug abuse is a blight on the lives of too many families and communities across Scotland.

"I am pleased to see that the figures for drug-related deaths have fallen but we cannot be complacent. As long as there are drugs on our streets, then there is the potential for deaths to rise again. Our efforts must be relentless.

"Educating young people about the dangers of drugs and providing them with opportunities to make positive life choices must always be the starting point of our drugs strategy."

Mr Henry said an anti-cocaine advertising campaign which ran last year had proved successful and would be re-run later this year.

He also said that the Scottish Executive was working with publicans in Glasgow to find ways to get the message to people most at risk of taking or being exposed to cocaine.