Drug deaths in Dumfries and Galloway reach record high
While the number of deaths in Scotland is down, in Dumfries and Galloway more people lost their lives to drugs last year than ever before
Last updated 22nd Aug 2023
Drug related deaths in Dumfries and Galloway have risen to 37, another increase on last year's record high of 35.
That is despite the number of deaths across Scotland falling in 2022.
According to the latest statistics published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS), 1,051 people died due to drugs misuse last year, compared to 1,330 in 2021.
However, drug deaths in the country are more than three times higher than they were two decades ago.
There were 3.7 times as many drug misuse deaths in 2022 compared with 2000.
Of the 37 drug related deaths in Dumfries and Galloway heroin and other opiates were involved in 34, and benzodiazepines in 20.
Glasgow overtakes Dundee with highest drug death rate
Glasgow City and Dundee City have the highest rate of drug misuse deaths.
In Scotland's biggest city, 44.4 people die per 100,000 population. That drops to 43.1 in Dundee, although both are significantly higher than the Scottish average of 19.8.
Men are twice as likely to die from drug related deaths as women, although the fall in deaths in 2022 was far larger for men.
The age profile of drug deaths has also continually risen over time. The average age of people who died from drug misuse is 45, a rise from 32 in at the start of the century.
Drugs minister: 'number of deaths still too high'
Commenting following the release of the figures, Scotland's drugs and alcohol policy minister Elena Whitham MSP said: "My sympathy goes out to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs.
"While I am pleased to see that hundreds of families have been spared this agony and lives have been saved, every life lost is a tragedy and the number of deaths is still too high.
"I will never underestimate the scale of the challenge we continue to face, including responding to new threats such as synthetic opioids and stimulant use.
"I can see that our work across Scotland, where we have already supported 300 grass-roots projects, including 'Back on the Road', is gathering pace, and I'm grateful to all those delivering vital services."