THE SNP has been slammed for an “alarming” rise in drug overdoses in Scotland last year, with the Scottish Conservatives claiming an “abject” policy failure.
Scottish ambulance crews were forced to administer the drug overdose antidote naloxone (narcan) 4,172 times last year, an increase of more than 600 on the year previous.
“Heroic” emergency teams responded to overdose callouts and administered the lifesaving substance just 3,563 times in 2024.
The Conservatives claimed this as evidence of an “abject failure” on the part of the Scottish Government to tackle Scotland’s drugs “epidemic”.
Drug deaths in Scotland fell last year but remain the worst anywhere in Europe.
The Conservatives say that this number would be even higher were it not for “brave” ambulance crews
The figures were obtained by the Scottish Conservatives via freedom of information request.
Instances of naloxone being administered are at the highest level since 2022, where the figures cut off.
The Conservatives claimed that last year was a “record” year for drug overdoses in Scotland.
This is despite the fact that these statistics only tally cases where the ambulance crew used the Narcan drug button on the patient report form.
There may be many more cases where naloxone was administered by bystanders or from the patient’s own supply.
Scottish Conservative shadow drugs minister Annie Wells MSP said: “These alarming figures expose the huge toll that Scotland’s drugs crisis is taking on our ambulance service.
“Thankfully Scotland’s over-stretched paramedics are intervening to save lives, but they have been forced to deal with a record number of overdoses thanks to the SNP’s abject failure to tackle the drug trade in Scotland.
“Under the Nationalists, Scotland is the drugs-death capital of Europe and if it wasn’t for our heroic ambulance crews, that shameful and heartbreaking toll would be far higher still.
“If the SNP had their way and decriminalised drugs, the overdose figures would be worse still.
“It is disgraceful that the Nationalists voted down our game-changing Right to Recovery Bill, which would have guaranteed treatment, including residential rehab, for all those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson responded: “Latest annual figures show drug deaths in Scotland are down 13% and at their lowest level since 2017.
“Our Draft Budget provides record funding of more than £160 million for drugs and alcohol programmes, widening access to treatment and life-saving naloxone.
“Residential rehabilitation bed capacity is up 35% since 2021 and we are on track to reach our target of 1,000 people a year being publicly funded to go to residential rehab.
“Naloxone is one of a range of measures used to address drug deaths and we are expanding its reach, including through emergency service partners who are essential to providing rapid naloxone access in overdose incidents.
“We are determined to combat this challenge and have worked closely with stakeholders, including those with lived and living experience, to develop a future alcohol and drug strategic plan to follow our National Mission – this will be published in early 2026.”
The SNP have been quoted as supporting a policy of decriminalisation of drugs for personal use, with intent to supply and drug dealing remaining illegal.
When Portugal decided in 2001 to decriminalise the possession of all drugs, the country experienced a sharp drop in drug related deaths.
Considered crucial to the success of this policy, however, is the fact that this was part of wider programme of heavy investment in social, health, and treatment services rather than just removing criminal penalties.
