'Shame on SNP' for devastating drug death rise

LOSS OF LIFE GOES UP BY A THIRD

- BY KATRINE BUSSEY

SUSPECTED drug deaths in Scotland have risen by a third in the first three months of this year, “devastating” figures have revealed.

There were 308 such deaths over the period from January to March, up 33 per cent on the last three months of 2024.

The figures come after the UK's first safer drugs consumption room, the Thistle centre in Glasgow, opened for a three-year pilot in January as part of Scottish Government efforts to reduce Scotland's drugs deaths.

It said “suspected drug deaths in Scotland remain at a high level”, with such cases up by 76 when compared with the final three months of 2024.