SUSPECTED drugs deaths have fallen by 10% in the latest quarterly data, with drug-related attendances at A&E seeing a similar decrease.
Incidents of naloxone administration, which can prevent heroin overdoses, were also down by 30% in September to November last year.
The latest Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (Radar) report noted that the contamination of illicit drugs with toxic substances is “common and widespread across drug types”.
It said: “There remains an urgent need for hospital toxicology and accessible drug checking services across the country.”
There has also been an increase in novel benzodiazepines circulating in Scotland, while cocaine continues to play a leading role in drug harm.
Between September and November, there were 215 suspected drugs deaths, with this figure being 10% lower than the previous quarter and down by 15% from the same time last year.
Drug-related attendances at A&E were down 10% from the previous quarter and 16% lower than in 2023.
The Scottish Ambulance Service recorded 700 naloxone administrations over the time period, down by 30% from the previous quarter and down 34% from the same period in 2023.
The figures will not encompass the effect of the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility, which opened in Glasgow in January.
The Thistle Centre saw 131 attendances in its first week of operation.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Through our five-year, £250 million National Mission on drugs we’re taking a wide range of actions, including working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities which would enable us to respond faster to emerging drug trends, opening the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility pilot, and widening access to residential rehab, treatment and life-saving naloxone.
“We’ve also maintained a record £112 million to local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships for treatment and support services and, in addition, National Mission funds have now backed more than 300 grassroots organisations and projects, helping to support more than 33,000 people.
“We’re also working hard to respond to the growing threat from polydrug use, including street benzos and cocaine, and from highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes in an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply.
“Such synthetics increase the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death and are being found in a range of substances. Because of their strength I would urge people to carry extra life-saving naloxone kits.”
