Alexander urges Swinney to focus on drugs death ‘crisis’ instead of independence

First Minister John Swinney has been urged to focus on Scotland’s drugs deaths ‘crisis’ rather than independence (Jane Barlow/PA) -

John Swinney’s government should be “tackling the crisis on Scotland’s streets” that led to 1,133 drugs deaths last year, rather than focusing on independence, the Scottish Secretary has said.

Douglas Alexander insisted it was “deeply upsetting” that Scotland continues to have the highest drugs deaths rate in Europe, urging the SNP to make this a priority.