Today’s national statistics reveal that 1,051 people across Scotland died from drug-related causes in 2022 – the lowest number in five years.

The Scottish Drugs Forum says the figures reflect an inadequate response to the ongoing public health emergency as it calls for individuals and organisations work together to deliver Scotland’s National Mission to reduce drug-related harm and deaths.

Figures published today by National Records of Scotland reveal a decrease of 279 deaths compared to 2021, a drop of 21% which is the biggest year-on-year reduction since records began.

However, the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) says that “alarm bells” should be ringing all over the Scottish government in response to emerging trends of new synthetic opioids which it says Scotland is not prepared to deal with.

The organisation is urging the government to implement proposals to decriminalise possession of all drugs for personal use and ensure treatment services are accessible and grounded in compassion for all people experiencing problems with drugs.

While at a five-year low, this number is 3.7 times higher than two decades ago, and Scotland’s rate of drug-related deaths remains far greater than other countries.

For comparison, the rate of drug-related deaths in Scotland for 2022 are around 2.7 times as high as the most recent UK average from 2021.

Key to this will be a step change in approach to the crisis, including in leadership, co-ordinated action and a driving will to make change, with the organisation says has hindered progress so far.

Ahead of today’s figures, the charity Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs called for families’ voices to be central to policy and practice to see “real change” in Scotland’s drugs deaths crisis.

While welcoming the fall in drug-related deaths, Drug and Alcohol Policy Minister, Elena Whitham has reaffirmed her commitment to Scotland’s National Mission to reduce drug-related harm, saying:

“My sympathy goes out to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through drugs.

“While I am pleased to see that hundreds of families have been spared this agony and lives have been saved, every life lost is a tragedy and the number of deaths is still too high.

“I will never underestimate the scale of the challenge we continue to face, including responding to new threats such as synthetic opioids and stimulant use.”

Ms Whitham added that the government will continue to focus on supporting more people into the treatment they need, including expanding access to residential rehabilitation.

She also highlighted recent proposals for drug law reform, saying the UK government could support the introduction of harm reduction measures.

Calling attention to the emerging drug supplies containing new synthetic opioids, SDF says more work on early-detection and monitoring of drugs is also needed.

Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO of SDF says Scotland is now well beyond the need for urgent action and there can be no further delays in taking action by “all means necessary”:

“Everyone seems to know that Scotland has an astonishing rate of drug-related deaths and that was before we saw this emerging trend of new synthetic opioids within the heroin supply.

“Alarm bells should be ringing all over government and all through the treatment and support services because we are not prepared.

“There is some progress but the only real measures are both a substantial reduction in deaths and a sustained process of improvement in Scotland’s wider response. We have a long, long way to go.”

Echoing yesterday’s call for more inclusive approaches to tackling the drugs deaths crisis, she adds that SDF are ensuring that people experiencing drug problems can influence policy, practice and service development.

In its response to today’s figures, SDF has also called for the implementation of drug checking services, safe drug use facilities and maximising Scotland’s naloxone programme.

SDF says its proposed changes are not a new campaign, but instead represent the broad consensus on what should be done in response to Scotland's drug death crisis.

CEO Kirsten Horsburgh explains that these changes are well-evidenced and that the organisation is committed to continuing its work in harm reduction:

“In truth, we all know exactly what the evidence tells us we should be doing. The question is do we have the collective will to implement the necessary change.

“Talking on behalf of SDF, we will continue to work to reduce drug deaths and advocate for and with people who are vulnerable to these preventable deaths. We are well-positioned to contribute to and support the implementation of change and we re-state our commitment to doing so.

“We are working to develop and diversify the workforce. We have contributed substantially to the implementation and expansion of the national naloxone programme. We are fighting to keep funding for harm reduction posts in our own organisation and elsewhere.”

Read more: RADAR system to spot drug death; Drugs oversight group chair appointed; Analysis: drugs and alcohol in Scottish health survey; Oversight group for government drug action; Decriminalisation call to support drug deaths mission

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