SUSPECTED drug deaths in Scotland grew by 8 per cent last year, according to the latest figures.

In 2018 Scotland gained the unenviable title of having the highest rate of drugs deaths in Europe prompting then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2021 to launch a five-year, £250 million “national mission” to turn things around.

As the “mission” approaches its end in April, Scotland still holds that grim title, but after a fall in 2024, latest figures show the number of people who lost their lives through drugs climbed once again from 1,065 in 2024 to 1,146 in 2025.

The figures, logged by Police Scotland, once again show Glasgow suffered the highest number of deaths at 243, followed by 127 in Ayrshire and 116 in Lanarkshire.

Drugs minister Maree Todd said: “Every drug death is a tragedy, and my condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one.

“This month, we published a new, long-term, Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan, which builds on our five-year National Mission on Drugs which ends in April.

“We are already widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone.”

Accusing the ministers of “failing both victims and communities,” Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “This SNP government has abandoned both justice and recovery.

“And to compound the problems, the SNP’s latest budget represents a real-terms cut of about £1.3m towards alcohol and drug policy. 

“It is a wrongheaded decision and one which only risks worsening this dire crisis.”

Calling the figures a “major wake-up call,” Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay added: “They show that Scotland’s drugs crisis is far from over, and that we need urgent action rooted in public health, compassion and prevention.”