Level of drug deaths 'too high' as pledge made to tackle figures

First Minister John Swinney has said that recent trends in drug-related hospital admissions and suspected deaths in Ayrshire are "concerning".

- STEPHEN BARK

Mr Swinney made the comments on a visit to Harbour Ayrshire in Ayr last Wednesday as the Scottish Government launched a new employability toolkit to help people affected by problematic substance use.

Statistics published by the Scottish Government last week revealed an increase in suspected drug-related deaths in Ayrshire in the first quarter of 2025.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran have also previously warned of an increase in drug-related hospital admissions.