Concerns raised over north-east drug deaths
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North-east MSP Tess White has described an increase in drug deaths across the region as “deeply concerning”.
New figures released by Police Scotland show 31 people died in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Aberdeen in the final three months of 2022 due to suspected drug use.
That was an increase of 20 since the previous quarter. It is also the highest quarterly figure for the region since 2021 when 33 deaths were recorded between January and March 2021.
Across Scotland, the number of people suspected to have died due to drugs between October and December last year was 295.
That was the highest quarterly figure since the quarter between April and June 2021 when 329 deaths were recorded.
Scottish Conservative shadow public health minister Tess White says the drugs-death epidemic is Scotland’s national shame and one of the worst failings of Nicola Sturgeon’s time as First Minister.
The north-east MSP added that the figures only reaffirm the need for the SNP-Green government to finally back the Scottish Conservatives’ Right to Recovery Bill.
It has support from frontline experts and would guarantee access to treatment for everyone across the north-east who needs it.
Ms White said: “The rise in suspected drug deaths in the most recent quarter in the north-east is deeply concerning.
“Drug deaths are Scotland’s national shame. The fatality rate is still by far the worst in Europe and one of the worst legacies of Nicola Sturgeon’s tenure as First Minister.
“She shamefully took her eye off the ball. Now lives lost to the scourge of drugs in the north-east are on the increase again and heading in the wrong direction.
“It is incredibly disappointing that the scandal of drug deaths barely rated a mention in the SNP’s bitter televised leadership debates.
“Whoever emerges victorious from that race must give their full backing to the Scottish Conservatives’ Right to Recovery Bill.
“This has been backed by experts in the field of addiction and would guarantee access to treatment for everyone who needs it across our region.”
