THE number of drug-related deaths in West Dunbartonshire in 2020 has been revealed in new government figures.

According to the National Records of Scotland there were 29 drug-related deaths in the area last year.

That compares to 32 in 2019 - and though the total has fallen slightly, the 2020 number is still the second highest in the area since 2010.

The area ranks seventh out of Scotland's 32 council areas in the age-standardised death rates between 2016 and 2020.

Across Scotland last year there were 1,339 deaths which had a drug-related element - a higher rate than across all EU countries, and more than three times the UK as a whole.

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) figures show a 5 per cent increase on 2019, and the largest number ever recorded when Scotland also recorded the highest rate across Europe.

Alan Ferrier, Head of Demographic Statistics, said: "Sadly, last year saw the highest number of drug-related deaths in Scotland since reporting began 25 years ago, and 59 more deaths than were registered in 2019.

“At the beginning of the century, the rate of drug-related deaths in Scotland’s most deprived areas was 10 times that of our least deprived areas. By 2020 this gap had increased to 18 times as high.”

Heroin and morphine deaths wer down from 645 the previous year to 605 this year.

Methadone was involved in 708 fatalities, up from 560 fatalities the year before, benzodiazepines of any form - street and prescription - caused 974 deaths, and cocaine caused 459 deaths.

A total of 444 deaths were in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area, up from 404 in 2019. There were 185 in Lanarkshire, 159 in Lothian, 105 in Tayside and 106 in Ayrshire and Arran.

Over 70 per cent of the deaths were men, and almost two-thirds were aged between 35 and 54.

Angela Constance, drugs policy minister, said: "Once again, the statistics on drug-related deaths are heart-breaking.

"I want to offer my sincere condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one through drug use.

“We need to gather as much information as we can about drug use in Scotland and to that end, data on suspected drug deaths will be published quarterly from this September.

"This will ensure we can react more quickly and effectively to this crisis and identify any emerging trends.

“We are working hard to get more people into the treatment that works for them as quickly as possible.

"Without treatment, there is little hope of recovery so we are funding as many community and third sector initiatives as we can so that individuals have the widest possible choice and can opt for the support which suits them and their family.

“Of the £250 million announced over the next five years, £100 million will go on improving the provision of residential rehabilitation and I will update Parliament on progress in this area after the summer recess.

“As I have said before, I am determined that every penny of this additional funding will make a difference to all those affected by drug use in Scotland.”

Beth Culshaw, chief officer of West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We recognise that every death caused by drug use has a profound impact on families, loved ones and communities.

"We are committed to addressing this issue and contributing to the national mission of tackling drug deaths. 

“We are embedding a human rights-based approach that puts people at the heart of everything we do.

“In addition to the existing services in place to support residents dealing with the harms associated with alcohol and drugs, West Dunbartonshire’s Alcohol and Drug Partnership have recently commissioned third sector partners to deliver a range of targeted projects to reduce drug harms and drug deaths within the local area, and increased access to residential rehabilitation.

“In line with the latest Scottish Government guidance, we are implementing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards to enable the consistent delivery of safe, accessible, high quality drug treatment and person-centred care.”