Rise in drug-related deaths

There has been a rise in the number of drug-related deaths recorded across the Forth Valley.

Last year, 69 deaths were registered, up from the 49 recorded in 2024.

36 deaths were recorded in Falkirk last year, 21 were registered in Stirling, and there were 12 drug-related deaths in Clackmannanshire.

Across Scotland, 1,133 deaths were recorded - a rise of 11%.

Alcohol and Drugs Minister Maree Todd said:

"My heartfelt condolences go out to everyone who has lost a loved one to drug use. Each and every death is a tragedy, and even more so because every life lost to drug harms is preventable.  

“Against an increasingly toxic and unpredictable drugs supply, this rise is deeply concerning and unacceptable.  The increase in deaths involving cocaine, and the continued threat from dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, must drive more coordinated action across the country.

“We have taken important steps forward, including funding more than 1,100 residential rehabilitation placements last year and widening access to treatment and life-saving naloxone. However, despite these policy interventions, and the actions of our valued frontline workers, it is clear we need to do much more to reduce this tragic loss of life.

“Our new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan will strengthen surveillance, deepen links between treatment, housing and other services, and target support at the communities most at risk. I have also announced today that Scotland's first local drug-checking service will open in Glasgow this October - building on the UK's first safer drug consumption facility.  

“Whilst we are using every lever available through our devolved powers, it is clearly now vital that the UK Government work with us to transfer the greater powers over drugs policy that we require to treat drug harms fully as a public health issue.”