Why has Scotland got such a huge drug problem?

Maremia

Some folk in the Orkneys and Shetland have 'Viking' ancestry.
That's for those GNs who seek a genetic link between Scotland and Scandi countries.

An interesting study (with maps)
news.sky.com/story/where-do-we-come-from-britains-dna-map-10367199

A list of place names which indicate where settlers came from.
www.eastbridgfordstpeters.co.uk/_site/data/files/migrated/newsletters--homework/place-names.pdf

And more of the same.
www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=place+names+in+the+UK+showing+evidence+of+the+settlersthere+from++different+areas

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torpenhow_Hill

My favourite placename. If all the bits of it are translated from their original languages, it means Hilhillhill Hill

Sorry - I have strayed a little from Scottish drug deaths.

If anyone is interested in answering OP's question this link to a Scottish Affairs Committee suggests answers.

Problem drug use in Scotland - Scottish Affairs Committee - House of Commons share.google/5ViQnJ2zhOuKjCXih

Of course it's much less effort to discuss the weather and funny places names.

One of the charms of GN posts is the opportunity for interesting diversions.
Posters who are not amused by this are under no obligation to join in.
Simply skip on by.

They used to call it "reading round the subject" and quite often solutions to problems have been found in the peripheral musings while someone was straying from the central question.

One aspect of drug-taking problems is the mood of the person concerned, Who knows, prescribing light therapy as a part of people trying to become free of drugs, using a bright, UV-free lamp to simulate natural sunlight and help relieve symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), might improve their moods enough to help them resist temptation? It could be done in parallel with other therapies.

Elegran

Probably not genetic then.

Comparisons to drug deaths in Scandinavian and other northern countries would be interesting, if anyone has them. The incidence of depression and SADS in those countries (and Scotland) compared with more southerly countries too

The article I linked to earlier posits a connection between the higher SAD incidence in Scotland (9%, compared to 5-6% in the UK as a whole) and the lower light/sunshine levels. More people being affected by SAD probably means more people feeling low, which could result in more people drinking more alcohol or taking more drugs in an attempt to spark up their lives a bit, and hence more people overdoing it and ending in an overdose.

I think someone said that deaths from other drugs (not just the recreational ones) are included in the statistics in Scotland, but not in England. That would increase the numbers.

Lack of Vitamin D has been linked to low mood and is more prevalent in people with substance use disorders. Is the deficiency caused by substance abuse or is it causal?

Scotland also has one of the highest incidents of multiple sclerosis too, which has been linked, in the past to lack of vitamin D. The highest rate is Orkney and Shetland. Nothing to do with drug addiction of course, but another link to environment

Or is it unconnected in either direction? There may be studies on this, as I imagine those studying drug abuse are aware of the mood-changing effects of low light/sunshine levels.

They are probably also studying:
- is drug dependency affected by other physical influences which feel better after a drink or a drug hit (various other hormones, mental health syndromes and so on) ?
- is it caused by a wish to forget conditions like poverty, exclusion, repeated redundancy and unemployment, ?
- is it a hedonistic desire for the sensations of being high ?
- is it a wish to be "in with the crowd" if all your friends are taking them. ?

I would be inclined to think it a mixture of two or more of these, plus other influences. If you can move away from a depressed area and find a rewarding occupation somewhere else, or raise your self-esteem by some other route, you have a better chance of resisting the lure of instant gratification at the cost of future addiction, If no-one is selling drugs in your area at a price you can afford, your reaction to any of these would probably be alcohol or religion

Or perhaps a life of crime to fund the habit - which makes you vulnerable to exploitation and danger, which adds a different set of problems.

Would like to see a comparison, of drug deaths, with the other three Nations, using the same criteria and statistical analysis.
Probably beyond the many and varied capabilities of us GNs.

That new Ketamine menace is very disturbing.
The 'drug deaths' recorded might be about older victims, who have spent years trying to survive the damage, but, how do we, as a society, deal with this threat to the young?

Maremia

That new Ketamine menace is very disturbing.
The 'drug deaths' recorded might be about older victims, who have spent years trying to survive the damage, but, how do we, as a society, deal with this threat to the young?

We had 3 daughters my wife was very risk aware for them and committed to protecting them they were never allowed to be unsupervised by her or someone she personally trusted until they were 16. At the time they complained of the lack of freedom but they are exactly the same with their children a generation later.

Today many children have too much freedom, too many opportunities to make wrong decisions and cause lasting harm that affects their lives long term. The internet, social media and drug availability increase the risk. All my GC are being exposed to the risks but their parents are controlling that risk, as Im sure most other parents do.

Grandmabatty

Scotland also has one of the highest incidents of multiple sclerosis too, which has been linked, in the past to lack of vitamin D. The highest rate is Orkney and Shetland. Nothing to do with drug addiction of course, but another link to environment

Yes I’ve heard that too in the northern hemispheres with lack of sunlight

Glasgow has had a problem with alcoholism for decades. Much of it stems from the work hard, play hard culture from the shipyards, where men would regular drink heavily after a hard day at work. Also poor living conditions, lack of opportunities and poverty have driven many people to drink. However, there are hundreds of thousands of Glaswegians who live perfectly healthy lives.