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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Huge rise in Scottish drug deaths | Huge rise in Scottish drug deaths |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The number of drug-related deaths in Scotland has increased by a quarter, according to new figures. | The number of drug-related deaths in Scotland has increased by a quarter, according to new figures. |
| The Registrar General for Scotland said there were 421 drug-related deaths last year, 85 more than in 2005, representing a 25% rise. | The Registrar General for Scotland said there were 421 drug-related deaths last year, 85 more than in 2005, representing a 25% rise. |
| Heroin or morphine use was involved in 62% of the deaths, while methadone use accounted for 23% of the total. | Heroin or morphine use was involved in 62% of the deaths, while methadone use accounted for 23% of the total. |
| The statistics revealed that 83% of those who died were under the age of 45, with 16% under 25. | The statistics revealed that 83% of those who died were under the age of 45, with 16% under 25. |
| Almost four-fifths - 79% - of the fatalities were men. | Almost four-fifths - 79% - of the fatalities were men. |
| Previously the highest ever number of drug deaths recorded in Scotland, occurred in 2002 when 392 people died. | |
| Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill described the issue as "one of the most significant problems of our time". | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill described the issue as "one of the most significant problems of our time". |
| Our new strategy must tackle demand as well as supply and we will place renewed focus on education, tough enforcement, and of course new emphasis on diversion and prevention Kenny MacAskill,Justice Secretary | Our new strategy must tackle demand as well as supply and we will place renewed focus on education, tough enforcement, and of course new emphasis on diversion and prevention Kenny MacAskill,Justice Secretary |
| He said: "This tragic death toll highlights the true scale of the challenge we are facing - a 25% increase in fatalities in just one year is extremely concerning and presents a disturbing report card of Scotland's overall drugs problem. | He said: "This tragic death toll highlights the true scale of the challenge we are facing - a 25% increase in fatalities in just one year is extremely concerning and presents a disturbing report card of Scotland's overall drugs problem. |
| "That is why this new government is taking a fresh look at how we tackle drug misuse - perhaps the most significant social problem of our time. | "That is why this new government is taking a fresh look at how we tackle drug misuse - perhaps the most significant social problem of our time. |
| "Our new strategy must tackle demand as well as supply and we will place renewed focus on education, tough enforcement, and of course new emphasis on diversion and prevention by offering more young people opportunities in sports and the arts to build self-esteem." | "Our new strategy must tackle demand as well as supply and we will place renewed focus on education, tough enforcement, and of course new emphasis on diversion and prevention by offering more young people opportunities in sports and the arts to build self-esteem." |
| The figures did show a reduction in the number of deaths associated with cocaine and diazepam use. | |
| In 2005, 44 people died after taking cocaine. That figure dropped to 33 last year. | |
| Deaths from diazepam, which is associated with the abuse of other substances like heroin, peaked in 2002 but have since markedly reduced. The drug claimed 78 lives last year. | |
| The highest proportion of deaths occurred in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board area, with 162 people dying through drug misuse, up 51 on the previous year. | |
| In Grampian, 47 people died last year, up 24 on 2005's figures, while in Lothian the figure for drug-related deaths was 46. | In Grampian, 47 people died last year, up 24 on 2005's figures, while in Lothian the figure for drug-related deaths was 46. |