Jackie Baillie has slammed the Scottish Government's “broken promises” after it was revealed that drug deaths have again soared.

The data, published by the National Records of Scotland, reveals drug-related deaths rocketed by 12 per cent in Scotland in 2023 when compared with the previous year.

It represents an additional toll of 121 on the earlier figure, bringing the total to 1,172.

New statistics show that 26 people lost their lives to drugs in West Dunbartonshire in 2023 – up from 20 the previous year.

A total of nine females and 17 males died in the area due to drug misuse.

Figures also cemented the link between drug use and deprivation, with those in the most deprived areas of Scotland more than 15 times likely to die from drug misuse, when compared to those in the least deprived areas.

Men were also twice as likely to die through drug misuse than women. 

Opiates or opioids were a factor in eight out of ten of drugs deaths.

In 2022, drug deaths in Scotland were more than double the rate of other UK countries, and almost three times as high as in England.

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Jackie Baillie MSP said: "Scotland’s drug death toll is consistently the worst in Europe.

"In 2021, the SNP Government launched a National Mission to reduce drug deaths, with the rate of drug misuse 4.2 times higher in Scotland in 2023 than in 2000, when adjusted for age. 

"The latest data illustrates the glaring failure of that mission pledge.

"The SNP pledged to reduce drugs deaths, but these distressing figures show just how far it has failed to live up to its promises.

"Each of these numbers represent a human tragedy and a family who are no doubt still grieving today.

"I know that many families in my own Dumbarton constituency have experienced such losses.

“The SNP Government, which is still desperately trying to correct its own historic cuts to alcohol and drug services, must stop breaking its promises to families.

“It must urgently address its complete failure to provide enough residential rehab beds, deliver drug checking facilities and finally establish a safer drug consumption facility in Glasgow without any further delay.

“It could not be clearer that Scotland needs change – a Scottish Labour government will deliver it."