West Lothian noticed 32 drug deaths final yr, the second highest within the Lothians, in response to the newest figures launched on Thursday.
Nationwide data for Scotland figures present that per 100,000 inhabitants the loss of life fee from drug misuse was decrease in West Lothian, at 14.7, in comparison with neighbouring council areas.
In Edinburgh the loss of life fee was 18.3 per 100,000, 21.3 per 100,000 in Midlothian and 23.9 per 100,000 in South Lanarkshire.
There was a ten per cent enhance in drug deaths for the reason that begin of the century. In 2000-2004 the loss of life fee per 100,000 was 4.3 in West Lothian, and 5.1 in Edinburgh.
Of the newest West Lothian figures 23 had been males and 9 girls.
By medication implicated, 28 deaths had been attributed to opiates, 27 Benzodiazepine, 18 cocaine, one ecstasy, one amphetamine and one alcohol associated.
Throughout the Lothians drug loss of life figures for final yr - the primary yr to see a fall nationally - had been Edinburgh 109, East Lothian 16 and Midlothian 23.
Scotland’s medication coverage minister and Almond Valley MSP, Angela Constance mentioned the variety of deaths remained “unacceptable”, and that work would proceed “at tempo” to deal with the emergency.
She mentioned: “These newest statistics present but extra heart-breaking studying. Whereas there's a lot extra work to do, each life saved means one much less household grieving and I'm decided we will use this halt within the upward development of latest years as a platform for actual change.
“My focus now could be on taking motion and delivering new funding to enhance providers and get extra folks into the therapy which works for them.”
Lothian Conservative MSP Miles Briggs mentioned: “My deepest condolences are with the household and mates of those that have died attributable to medication.
“In Lothian the quantity of people that died attributable to drug misuse final yr has doubled from ten years in the past. SNP Ministers’ method to tackling drug deaths is an unequivocal failure with drug deaths persevering with to rise in Lothian for the final six years.
“If Angela Constance, the Minister for Medication Coverage, can’t cut back drug deaths in her personal area of Lothian, then this doesn't bode nicely for the remainder of Scotland.
“SNP and Inexperienced Ministers should get on board with the Scottish Conservatives Proper to Rehab Invoice, to make sure that everybody who wants rehabilitation for medication has entry to it.
“These newest surprising numbers clearly counsel that there's a specific downside in turning across the state of affairs in Lothian. If that's the case, then SNP Ministers should contemplate direct management over drug providers to drive pressing reforms.”
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