Why has Scotland got such a huge drug problem?

There is the same budget but alcohol has been included in the 5 year mission introduced in 2021. So a stretched budget.
A total of 1,133 fatalities in 2025. An 11 percent rise and for the 7th year in a row, the worst fatality rate in Europe.
A national drugs mission was announced in 2021.The fatalities are becoming multifactorialas gangs are mixing powerful synthetic opioids with heroin, Benzodiazopines and alcohol. More dangerous than fentanyl.
Poor housing schemes with intense peer pressure. Extreme poverty.
It's just been on R4 news at 1pm.
It's thought that, whilst important, there has been a too high level of catching the gangs, rather than giving higher comprehensive support to addicts.
It is being acknowledged and they are seeming to be focusing more on a broader spectrum of support. We can only hope.

Thank you Plevey08

It was pure coincidence that I was listening to R4 news and heard the update., at the same time as you posted the thread.
It was desperately sad to hear.

Yes it’s desperately sad.
I know we’ll never be able to help absolutely everyone, but many drug users have had traumatic experiences or abusive childhoods, often both.

I'm hoping that's why they acknowledged that wider levels of intervention are needed.

Yes. Too many sad people with no hope.

How much of the issue is down to unscrupulous dealers, who by the sound of it are mixing drugs into more dangerous cocktails? More people die if there is a dealer issue, as well as if there are more users.

The SNP government slashed the drugs rehab budget in 2015 with absolutely dire consequences, since 2020 they have been trying to rectify the consequences but it's far too little, far too late.

Problems are compounded by having to do the same thing decade on decade
We are “not allowed” to stray from the methadone treatment that Westminster initiated
…..any time we want to try a different approach we are told “drugs policy is a reserved issue” reserved to Westminster!
They must make a fortune from methadone there’s no other reason surely that they don’t let us use a different way of dealing with it?
This sadly is Whats known as democracy in Scotland,devolution = powers given but many more retained .

That doesn’t stack up Paddyann54, if that was the issue other parts of the UK would be in the same position as Scotland, it’s not a variable if everybody follows the same policy.

There's a reason why so many Scottish people need to lose themselves in alcohol and drugs. It's not a great place for some. Long term poor education and limited job prospects.

Casdon

That doesn’t stack up Paddyann54, if that was the issue other parts of the UK would be in the same position as Scotland, it’s not a variable if everybody follows the same policy.

That’s what I was thinking, why is Scotland worse than England for drug deaths?

Not everyone in England is rolling in money or opportunities.

I remember the ice cream vans selling all their wares under the guise of selling ice cream back in the 70s in Glasgow when I use to visit my relatives.
There has always been a culture of heavy drinking up there, drugs was the next big thing.
It’s everywhere now not just Scotland.

I think it’s ketamine where I live. I didn’t know that until I watched a short documentary on YouTube & up pops my town.

Casdon

How much of the issue is down to unscrupulous dealers, who by the sound of it are mixing drugs into more dangerous cocktails? More people die if there is a dealer issue, as well as if there are more users.

I think they have come to the realisation that resources would be better used targeting the drug addict, and the complexity of the mixing of synthetic drugs with heroin, which cause more fatalities. So broadening the support.
The resources used trying to shut the gangs down isn't proving to be either cost effective or successful. Another gang just pops straight back up. And historically that means less support for drug addicts.

Yet it's Scotland where all the drug deaths are.

I will always remember a Glaswegian lad joining the school where I taught in Year 7 aged 11. It was known as a challenging school on a rough housing estate in the SE.
He had to come and live with his dad, his mum remained in Glasgow. He didn't have a Glaswegian accent when he arrived. But he would go and stay with his mum in the.summer hols. He came back in September with a broad Glaswegian accent. I said crikey slow down for me I'm not catching what you're saying. Sorry Miss he said but my mum lives on a really rough estate, and every morning I'd go out to play all day and if I didn't speak like this I'd get my head kicked in.
He also said he's was always being offered drugs. He didn't take them and I knew he wasn't on anything. Loved him though, he had a really infectious character. He was savvy and a survivor.

I don’t know what the answer is, I doubt it’s because there is a huge difference in drug rehabilitation between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Of course rehab is hugely important, but until the supply is reduced, and becomes more expensive, youngsters will still get their first doses cheaply and keep getting hooked. If there is a different level of tampering with the drugs by gangs in Scotland, or more competition between gangs, which is making drugs cheaper and/or more accessible and that is leading to more deaths there, that has to be a priority.

Well I'm afraid to say that approach hasn't worked in Scotland

Presumably nothing has so far, as the figures are the worst in Europe? I can’t see how it will get better if supply is not interrupted, but I’d be interested to hear the alternatives.

don't know solution but its like a lot of big cities there are big parts with poverty in the extreme, bad housing, no employment etc. in the end the people often turn to drugs to relieve the situation they are in at least in their head.
then the circle starts with children copying parents and their habits

They also have the worst obesity problem in this part of the world. I wonder why…

Help, how can we help, it's their
Choice let them get on with it