607 deaths from drugs in first half of the year

FIGURES showing a rise in drug deaths in the first half of the year were last night described as "horrifying".

- By News Reporter

There were 607 suspected drug deaths in Scotland in the first six months of 2025, a 3% increase from the same period in 2024.

The report from the Scottish Government shows 299 fatalities in the second quarter from April to June and 308 in the first quarter from January to March.

Officials from the SNP executive admitted: "Suspected drug deaths in Scotland remain at a high level."