As per the latest report, drug related deaths had reached a record high of 455 during the past year, 8% higher than the previous year and double in 10 years.

Alcohol was found to be responsible for 157 deaths. Heroin or morphine was responsible for 64 per cent of the deaths while methadone caused 25 per cent of the deaths during the previous year. Diazepam was responsible for 17 per cent of the deaths.

Community safety minister Fergus Ewing, unhappy with the trend, expressed concern about any further increase.

Speaking about the new strategy by the government to cut the number of drug related deaths, he said, “I am confident many of the changes it proposes will have a positive impact in reducing drug-related deaths."

Source-Medindia
SAV/L