Suspected drug deaths in Lanarkshire decline during first quarter of 2022

The variety of drug-related deaths in Lanarkshire dropped throughout the first quarter of this 12 months.

In the course of the first three months of 2022 there have been 29 suspected drug deaths within the Lanarkshire police division, in keeping with figures printed by the Scottish Authorities.

That’s 9 fewer than the 38 suspected drug deaths recorded throughout the identical interval in 2021, and down from 41 within the earlier quarter.

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Regardless of the decline, Lanarkshire had the third-highest variety of suspected drug deaths within the nation, behind Glasgow (50) and Edinburgh (31) - the place the quantity nearly tripled on the earlier quarter. Ayrshire had the fourth highest recorded quantity with 27.

The full variety of suspected drug deaths in Lanarkshire from April 2021 to March 31 this 12 months stands at 130.

Etizolam, or avenue valium as they're additionally recognized, have been implicated in numerous deaths (Picture: Each day Report)

Printed quarterly, suspected drug deaths statistics are an operational measure utilized by Police Scotland, this consists of deaths that the police suspect concerned illicit medication, based mostly on officers’ observations and different circumstantial proof and preliminary enquiries on the scene of loss of life.

The variety of suspected drug deaths for Scotland as an entire additionally declined throughout the first quarter of the 12 months. The statistics confirmed that there have been 285 suspected drug deaths throughout the nation throughout January to March 2022. This determine is 27 per cent decrease than for a similar interval in 2021 when 393 deaths had been recorded.

Of these 285 individuals, those that had been aged between 35 and 54 years previous accounted for 188 deaths. Solely 15 of those that died had been aged below 24. Males accounted for 199 (70 per cent) of the deaths and females 86.

The MSP believes that protected medication consumption rooms must be launched to assist cut back deaths

Central Scotland MSP Gillian Mackay has once more known as for powers on drug laws to be devolved to Scotland to assist deal with the problem.

She stated: “Whereas constructive steps are being taken in Scotland to deal with the drug deaths disaster too many individuals in Lanarkshire are nonetheless being failed. Each single certainly one of these deaths was a preventable tragedy and the Scottish Authorities should do all it may possibly to stop additional lack of life.

Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay has known as for drug laws powers to be devolved (Picture: PA)

“I welcome the truth that drug-related deaths at the moment are being handled as a public well being difficulty in Scotland, however that is being undermined by the UK Authorities’s resolution to proceed its dangerous warfare on medication which criminalises and stigmatises individuals.

“The Scottish Authorities should proceed to push for medication laws to be devolved to Scotland whereas utilizing current powers to scale back hurt and enhance remedy and assist for individuals who use medication, together with by way of drug testing and the introduction of protected consumption rooms.”

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