The number of people suspected of having lost their lives to drugs in Dumfries and Galloway has reached record levels.
Forty-four people across the region are believed to have died as a result of substance abuse in 2021 – 15 more than the previous year.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth described the rise as “very concerning”.
He said: “We should never forget that behind each of these figures is a person whose life has been cut far too short.
“It’s not good enough just to hear the Scottish Government express regret every time new figures are published, we need action.
“Cuts in funding for rehab a few years ago are taking a heavy toll and, as with any disease, we urgently need to see more investment to treat people.”
Police Scotland and the Scottish Government compile data on suspected drugs deaths using “officers’ observations and other circumstantial evidence”.
The figures show that in Dumfries and Galloway, six people died in the final three months of 2021, taking the total for the year to 44. In 2020, there were 29 suspected deaths
Across Scotland there were 1,295 suspected drugs deaths, down 116 on 2020.
South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper said: “I know that despite this decline in the number of suspected drug deaths, the figure is still far too high and every life lost is that of a friend or relative and one death is one too many.
“There is still much to be done to turn this public health emergency around.
“Tackling stigma and de-stigmatising the language use around those who are drug and alcohol dependent, including in environments such as healthcare settings, is really important in addressing just one of the challenging barriers which prevent people from accessing treatment, support and recovery. It is equally important to ensure drug support services are available across rural Scotland.”
National Records of Scotland has yet to reveal its 2021 figures but in
2020 22 people lost their lives to drugs in Dumfries and Galloway, with the 2019 tally of 35 the highest
since records began.
These vary from the police tally as National Records of Scotland bases its data on information from death certificates and information from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, rather than police observations.
Galloway and West Dumfries Tory MSP Finlay Carson said: “Despite the reduction nationally there is still the need for a clearer plan to help improve people’s lives. It cannot be forgotten that drug-related deaths have risen steeply in Scotland and we still have one of the highest rates in Europe.
“While the drop in Dumfries and Galloway during the final quarter of 2021 is a step forward – we need to recognise that the total for the whole year remains more than 40 which is far too high.”
Scotland’s Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “There is much hard work to be done to turn this public health emergency around.
“Getting people into the treatment which works for them is key and we continue to embed the new Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards which reinforce a rights-based approach for people who use drugs and the treatment they should expect regardless of their circumstances.
Independent chair of Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership Penny Halliday said: "Numbers of suspected drug-related deaths in 2021 saw a notable increase over 2020, and we have been asking everyone to do what they can to address what continues to be a deeply concerning situation.”
