Drug Deaths On Rise In Lockdown

Police say stats suggest a slight increase during pandemic

- Mark McGivern

Scotland's shameful drug death rate has risen during the coronavirus lockdown, figures reveal.

Shocking statistics show the number of deaths since March is higher than the same period in 2019 – despite the Scottish Government setting up the Drug Deaths Taskforce last July.

Superintendent Tim Ross, of Police Scotland’s Safer Communities division, said: “Prior to lockdown, it appeared numbers had gone down slightly. Then we got hit by the pandemic and our suggestion now is that there has been a slight increase.

“The figures are concerning but we have not seen a huge spike. However, it is not good that the numbers should take this turn.”

Ross said efforts are being made to analyse the effect of coronavirus on drug deaths.

He added: “We speak to drug charities, third sector organisations and community workers on the ground.