Ayrshire drug deaths on rise as action demanded

Second-highest number of suspected drug deaths since 2017

- STEPHEN BARK

An MSP has demanded action after new statistics revealed an increase to the number of suspected drug-related deaths in Ayrshire.

Figures published by the Scottish Government revealed that, between January and March this year, there were 36 deaths in the county where drugs are suspected to have been involved.

It is the second-highest figure recorded in Ayrshire for any quarter since Police Scotland began compiling the figures in 2017.

South Scotland MSP, Colin Smyth, has called for action to bolster support for drug rehabilitation and treatment following the release of the statistics. Across Scotland, 308 suspected drugs deaths were recorded in the first quarter of the year - a decrease of 12 on the same period in 2024.