Moray politicians react to north east drug death figures

MORAY'S politicians have reacted to new figures showing a recent rise in north east suspected drug deaths.

Moray MP Douglas Ross and MSP Richard Lochhead agreed that each drug death is a tragedy, but disagreed on the Scottish Government's response.

A Scottish Government report released yesterday (March 14) shows that suspected deaths from drugs tripled at the tail end of last year.

Based on Police Scotland data, the report also shows the north east was the worst-hit area outside Glasgow, with 31 suspected drug deaths from October to December 2022, compared to 11 in the previous quarter.

Mr Ross said the increase was the result of "Nicola Sturgeon taking her eye off the ball" and described the increase as showing the "brutal reality" of Scotland's drug problem.

However Mr Lochhead said that, despite the recent increase, a national fall in drug deaths last year shows that the Scottish Governments approach is working.

He said: “My thoughts are with all families who have lost a loved one through drugs and I want to extend my sympathies to the affected families in the north east.

“Any increase in the number of drug related deaths is, of course, extremely concerning and every death caused by drugs is a tragedy.

"The report does indicate that although there has been increase in the final three months of the year, there has been a 16 per cent decrease in drug related deaths across Scotland compared to 2021 – although I do appreciate that will give little comfort to the families affected.

“We know the number of drug related deaths in Scotland remain unacceptably high and the Scottish Government is determined to keep investing in services to get people the right support so lives can be saved.”

Whereas Mr Ross said: “Every one of these deaths as a result of drugs is a tragedy and my thoughts are with those grieving the loss of a loved one.

“It is deeply concerning that so many people are still losing their lives to drugs in the north east and this is the brutal reality of Nicola Sturgeon taking her eye off the ball.

“These figures are simply unacceptable and it shows that the SNP are nowhere near to getting on top of the drugs death emergency in Scotland.

“This subject has barely merited a mention in the SNP’s leadership contest so far which shows where their priorities lie.

“The new First Minister must finally get on board with my Right to Recovery Bill which has been backed frontline experts and would give everyone in the North East who needs it, access to treatment.”