Scotland is drug deaths capital of Europe: Nicola Sturgeon is accused of overseeing a 'national disgrace' as fatalities from heroin and other narcotics soar to the highest levels since records began

Nicola Sturgeon was accused of presiding over a ''national tragedy and disgrace' today as new figures showed Scotland has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in the European Union.     

The National Records of Scotland published data this morning which shows 1,264 people died in 2019 from causes linked to narcotics - a 6 per cent increase on 2018's figure of 1,187.

It is the highest figure since records began in 1996, and has doubled in the past decade, with the death rate also more than three times worse than the UK as a whole.

Heroin and other opioids including methadone were implicated in 1,092 deaths -  some 86 per cent  - more than in any previous year.

It led to renewed calls today for facilities such as drug consumption rooms to be introduced to help tackle the issue.   

David Liddell, chief executive officer of the Scottish Drugs Forum, said: 'None of us should regard these preventable deaths as acceptable or as anything other than a national tragedy and disgrace.

'The need for change is obvious and that change is long overdue.

The National Records of Scotland published data this morning which shows 1,264 people died in 2019 from causes linked to narcotics - a 6 per cent increase on 2018's figure of 1,187. Heroin was the main offender

It is the highest figure since records began in 1996, and has doubled in the past decade under the SNP, with the death rate also more than three times worse than the UK as a whole

Nearly 70 per cent of the deaths were men, and more than two-thirds were aged between 35 and 54. 

Three quarters of all the deaths were in five areas; Greater Glasgow and Clyde (404), Lanarkshire (163), Lothian (155), Tayside (118) and Ayrshire and Arran (108).

Heroin alone was implicated in 51 per cent of deaths, although some 94 per cent of fatalities involved more than one  substance.

Opposition parties have echoed calls for the issue to be moved higher up the political agenda.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Donald Cameron said: 'These statistics are both dreadful and heartbreaking in equal measure.

'Every one of these deaths is a tragic loss of life that could have been avoided.'

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon added: 'We can't sweep this public health and human rights emergency under the carpet a moment longer.

'Safe consumption facilities and increased rapid access to residential rehabilitation are vital and could happen today.'

SNP public health minister Joe FitzPatrick argued the Scottish Government is doing 'everything in its powers' to tackle rising drug deaths. 

It has called on UK ministers to change legislation so that overdose prevention centres can be established as quickly as possible.

This could be done by 'taking the necessary steps themselves' or by devolving powers to Scotland, they said.

However, it has been argued the law is not so strict as to stop Scottish ministers doing more while the UK Government has previously resisted calls to change legislation as it argues it would not be beneficial.