This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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No complacency in battle against drugs
06/08/1999
"There can be no complacency in the battle against drugs" Deputy Minister for Justice Angus MacKay said today following the release of the latest figures on drug-related deaths in Scotland.
Figures published by the Register General for Scotland show that the broad total of drug-related deaths rose slightly from 263 in 1997 to 276 in 1998.
With this total the number of deaths of those known or suspected to be drug-dependent rose from 142 to 179; but there was a decrease, from 121 to 97, in the number of deaths of persons not known or suspected to be drug dependent.
Mr MacKay said:
"Any increase in the number of drug deaths in Scotland is a matter of concern but we must bear in mind that the increase is partly attributable to more thorough methods of reporting such deaths which were introduced in 1995.
"The figures show that drug deaths in Scotland have been relatively stable over the past five years, although there was a reduction in 1997 which was partly attributable to the provision of substitute prescribing in Glasgow.
"There is no room for complacency in tackling this issue. The reduction of drug related deaths is a key objective of the enhanced drugs strategy Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership which illustrates our intention of tackling drug related problems from a variety of angles including health, education and drug enforcement. A number of measures have already been identified including improved provisions for treatment, needle exchanges and new methods to target the drug prevention message."
News Release: SE0253/99
6 August 1999