SUSPECTED drug deaths in Dumfries and Galloway last year were almost triple that of figures recorded in 2017.
Figures for 2022 were lower than 2021, however they still remain well above those from previous years.
Statistics released this week by Police Scotland showed there were 43 suspected drug deaths in the region during 2022, one fewer than the 44 recorded in 2021.
Across Scotland, there were 1092 suspected drug deaths last year. This was 16 per cent fewer than 1295 recorded in 2021.
However, just five years previously, in 2017, 19 suspected drug deaths were recorded in Dumfries and Galloway; meaning suspected deaths have jumped 186 per cent.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth warns that without tackling the roots of the issue then the problem will continue.
He said: “Every single drug death is a tragedy and we should never forget that behind each of these figures is a person whose life has been cut far too short and a family who have lost a loved one.
“The figures for Dumfries and Galloway have shown little change to the previous year and remain double the level they were just five years ago, which highlights just how much work still needs to be done.
“Cuts in funding for rehab a few years ago are still taking a heavy toll, and just with any disease, we urgently need to see more investment to treat what is ultimately a health crisis.
“Unless we tackle the underlying causes of this disease such as poverty, poor housing, and the shocking education attainment gap, then we will fail to get to grips on the crisis.”
Meanwhile, Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson wants ‘greater efforts’ from the Scottish Government to seriously tackle the problem.
He said: “While the national figure has dropped by 16 per cent this is, sadly, not the case in Dumfries and Galloway where we have witnessed only one fewer death in the three month period since 2021.
“There needs to be a new approach to tackling drug problem in rural areas like ours.
“The fact that 43 people in Dumfries and Galloway have died clearly demonstrates that much still needs to be done to reduce that figure substantially.”
