The Scottish Government is taking a “well-researched” and “well-evidenced” approach to tackling the “completely unacceptable” number of drug deaths in the country, John Swinney has said.
The First Minister spoke as Police Scotland revealed that officers had administered the life-saving treatment naloxone more than 1,300 times in the last five years.
Monday, International Overdose Awareness Day, marks five years since the police first started using the treatment, which can reverse the effects of an overdose.
Mr Swinney told the Press Association: “The tackling of drug deaths is a public health emergency in Scotland, and we have to make sure that we focus services around individuals who are using drugs and make sure that we support them on a journey to recovery.
“That focus of our plan is a well-researched, well-evidenced approach to make sure that individuals can be supported and that we can tackle the very high levels of drug deaths in Scotland, which are completely unacceptable.”
The number of suspected drug deaths in Scotland rose by 8% last year, figures released earlier this year showed.
The statistics, released by the Scottish Government, showed 1,146 people were suspected to have died from drugs, up from 1,065 the previous year.
Scotland continues to have the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe.
As part of efforts to tackle the issue, Police Scotland became the first force in the UK to begin using naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an overdose before medics arrive.
Chief superintendent Joanne McEwan said: “Police Scotland recognises the pain the loss of a loved one causes and the wider harms of drugs across our communities.
“We will continue to work towards reducing drug-related deaths and making Scotland a hostile environment for those involved in criminal activity related to drugs.”
We have invested more than £4 million in significantly widening access to naloxone, including through our emergency services and community pharmacies, and remain committed to further expanding naloxone provision
Alcohol and drugs minister Maree Todd said: “Every drug death is a tragedy and, particularly on International Overdose Awareness Day when we remember those that have died, my condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one.
“We have invested more than £4 million in significantly widening access to naloxone, including through our emergency services and community pharmacies, and remain committed to further expanding naloxone provision.
“This has become even more important due to the increasingly unpredictable drug supply and the increasing prevalence of highly dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which raise the risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death.
“The work done by Police Scotland and other partners has been instrumental in saving lives and I am grateful for the hard work of all the police officers who provide this vital frontline service.
“We will continue to ensure Police Scotland officers and emergency services continue to carry naloxone and are supported with the necessary training and guidance.”