Scotland’s drug deaths climb 11% as Europe’s highest rate persists
Scotland recorded 1,133 drug-related deaths in 2025, an 11 per cent increase on the previous year, while retaining Europe’s highest reported rate. Cocaine was involved in 52 per cent of deaths, while opioids remained the most commonly implicated drug; the figures have prompted renewed criticism of the Scottish Government’s handling of the crisis.
Men accounted for 830 deaths, up 19 per cent, while female deaths fell by 5 per cent to 303. Deaths were heavily concentrated in deprived areas, where the rate was 15 times that of the least deprived, and the average age of those who died rose from 32 in 2000 to 46 in 2025; the statistics agency cautioned that differences in identifying and recording drugs may affect international comparisons.
- Scotland recorded 1,133 drug-related deaths in 2025.
- Cocaine was involved in more than half of fatalities.
- Drug deaths were far higher in Scotland’s most deprived areas.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Drugs deaths rise again in the SNP’s Scotland – as country retains worst rate in Europe – with cocaine involved in more than half of fatalities”.