Number of drug deaths falls for first time in years as partnership reveals progress

The number of suspected drug deaths in Renfrewshire appears to be dropping for the first time in years, new figures suggest.

- EDEL KENEALY

Statistics released regularly by the Scottish Government show 11 deaths in the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Police Division were recorded between July and September of this year, down slightly from 16 in the previous quarter.

However, the figures for the police division area over the course of the year show a more significant drop, from 70 in the year to September 2024 to 40 over the same period in 2025.

The data is gathered by Police Scotland and is based on officer reports from the scenes of deaths, but they are not backed up by toxicology.

Confirmed drug-related deaths are later detailed in annual reports.

In 2024, the number of people losing their lives to drugs increased in Renfrewshire for the third year in a row - despite a significant reduction across the country.

A total of 46 people died from drug misuse in 2024, which was up from 44 the previous year.

The figures revealed this week now show a potential turn around in drug-related harm across the local authority area.